MORAL VALUES: CHARACTERISTICS, TRAINING AND EXAMPLES - PHILOSOPHY

The moral values are ideas and beliefs that people have about what behaviors are good and what behaviors are wrong. It is said that a person has moral values when he has customs and norms that are considered positive and good for the welfare of others.

Examples of moral values are sincerity, generosity, respect, kindness, or altruism. These are behaviors that are considered good. Therefore, a person with these types of values is someone moral. What is put is an immoral person, that is, one who has wrong behaviors.

Friendship is considered a moral value. Source: pixabay.com

Values are a series of norms that regulate the performance of a community and the individuals that comprise it. These allow us to differentiate what is good from what is bad, good from bad.

As for moral values specifically, they are absolute values that are related to good and evil. They depend on the cultural framework of each society, which is why they are modified over time.

Their training from an early age directly influences the individual, so values are usually transmitted through the genealogical tree and the experiences of the environment in which each person develops.

Each human being individually decides to live according to a framework of moral values, so that decision is made freely and independently. This disposition will lead you to have a much more human performance and you will be a better person.

Characteristics of moral values

Generosity, an example of moral courage

Moral values, and in general the whole framework of values, have a series of common properties that can be easily identifiable in order to differentiate the values from other patterns of behavior.

Compliance with these characteristics is usually very marked, but they do not necessarily have to be all in order to consider the standard as a value. These main characteristics are the following:

They are linked to fundamental human emotions

Moral values are characterized because they are directly related to the most essential emotions of human beings. Within this category are love, loyalty, guilt and anger, among others.

They are abstract

This is so because they are mental constructs that start from the interpretation of things, considering the cultural framework of the individual as well as their own life experiences.

They are momentous

These behavior patterns allow us to discern "the good" from "the bad", so they give meaning to life itself and pursue the transcendence of humans.

They are individual and collective

Although it sounds contradictory, there are certain values whose manifestation will be collective (within the framework of a society), while others will be a more personal vision according to the point of view of each individual.

They are hierarchical

Moral values work with a priority structure because each person and each society organizes them according to their importance, placing at the top of the pyramid those that are most relevant for the configuration of actions and attitudes.

They are historical

Values are the result of a process of evolution and maturity of people and societies. This is why they are fundamental elements in the constitution of the culture of the people.

They can be different according to each culture

Given their historical character, moral values vary depending on the society in which they are expressed.

Although there are general elements, each culture develops its own notions of what is correct or incorrect, and from these notions a system of moral values is built that responds to this.

They are recognized as relevant

This type of values is characterized by being based on the most essential human emotions. For this reason, people in general recognize the preponderance of these values over others.

These are values that refer to basic feelings for coexistence; For this reason, it is easy for all human beings to consider them of great importance.

May be derived from religion

Religions are characterized by containing guidelines and guidelines related to how people who identify with that religion should behave.

This code usually defines what is right and what is wrong according to the belief in question, so they can be considered a source of moral values that function as a guide that conditions the behavior of individuals.

Since religion is closely linked to the culture of a certain society, the code of behavior will also vary depending on the specific context. For example, this is why some religions consider it correct to live in polygamy while others consider it incorrect.

Formation of moral values

Moral values begin to form in childhood

The value framework of an individual or a society is gradually being built, over time.

This means that they are not patterns that live in the genetic code of individuals but are modeled with the accumulation of experiences throughout life.

In this sense, moral values are transmitted from generation to generation, which highlights the importance of education in values both within the family and in the school environment, since both environments are the primary learning circles of humans.

Another source in which an individual is nurtured by values is in the practice of some religion or spiritual current, since it greatly influences how a person should behave according to the referential framework of said congregation.

The same happens when the person joins an organization or group; At this time, her personal values must congenial and adapt to the group's framework of values so that she can be at ease and develop a sense of belonging.

Restructuring

Given all this, it is important to point out that the framework of values can be modified and rearranged as one has more life experience.

This is due to the fact that along the way the effect of the modeling of others and as well as that of the environment are altering this scheme and are able to adapt it to the historical moment, as well as to the circumstances of each individual.

Examples of moral values

Kindness, an example of moral courage

Moral values are those behaviors that provide the person with a sense of life in which they seek to perfect their human qualities and dignity, so it is an individual and free decision to live a life attached to some values or others.

Values coexist in individuals, and internal conflicts may occur according to the importance given to each one. In the group, the difference is more notable because each person transmits a different order of priorities and importance.

The main moral values are the following:

Love

It is perhaps the highest value because it reveals a series of attitudes of special importance towards another being, since it has a very high personal disinterest.

Friendship

It is when between two people or a group of people there is a disinterested affective bond that allows them to establish a harmonious relationship.

Thankfulness

It is that attitude that you have to give timely recognition to a benefit that is being obtained, it is to be grateful. This value is reflected in the fact of honestly recognizing and appreciating the effort that some people make in order to generate well-being in others.

Respect

It implies accepting and valuing an object, a circumstance or a person, including oneself. Acting under value prevents you from belittling or hurting the other, since you always act under a genuine sense of consideration.

The goodness

It is the quality that a human being has of being good, of showing others and his environment that he can act in their favor by showing gentleness and a high degree of disinterest.

Generosity

It is the attitude by which you surrender without expecting anything in return with the aim of helping those who need it.

Humility

It is the quality of being modest in the face of what you have and what you are as a human being. Part of a notion of respect for the other and a self-image adjusted to reality.

The honesty

It is a quality through which the person acts away from lies and deception, which is why he is transparent in his behavior and always attached to the truth and his defense.

Justice

It is the behavior under which the person is fair or equitable since it starts from rationality and equity.

Since moral values are behavioral guidelines that allow us to distinguish good from evil and act accordingly, a person who is generous with others through works of charity and also supports those who require it, make fair decisions and live always attached to the truth is a person who acts under moral values.

Courage

A person shows courage when he decides to carry out an action regardless of its high difficulty or the fear that it produces. This moral value is very useful for subsistence, as it is directly related to focusing and striving to meet the life goals that we set ourselves.

Self control

It is another of the most important moral values in the context of a society. Cultivating self-control involves avoiding impulsive words and / or actions that can generate disputes and misunderstandings among members of a community.

To the extent that each person prioritizes reflection rather than reacting impulsively, it will be possible to avoid conflict situations.

Themes of interest

Types of securities.

Human values.

Antivalues.

Universal values.

Sociocultural values.

Spiritual values.

Aesthetic values.

Material values.

Intellectual values.

Instrumental values.

Political values.

Cultural values.

Hierarchy of values.

Priority values.

Personal values.

Transcendental values.

Objective values.

Vital values.

Ethical values.