Definition of Human Values

When we say that something is good morally we refer to that something has a value moral intrinsic. Those moral concepts to which we attach a certain value are known as human values.

Social norms are considered acceptable or unacceptable because they allude to certain human values. Thus, if a rule establishes that it is mandatory to pay a tax to help those most in need, this rule implies the value of the solidarity.

We talk about human values ​​because there are anti-values

Man judges the actions that occur around him. In the act of judging something, we not only say that it is good or bad, but we also use reference values. Values ​​are ideas that express a quality and consequently have their opposite side.

We speak of altruism as a value because there is an anti-value, selfishness. The same happens with the rest of human values, such as justice, loyalty, modesty or fidelity.

Human values ​​are universal

Despite cultural differences, the values ​​of justice, peace, solidarity or compassion are universal. If we think about the value of

sincerityA sincere person is one who says what he thinks and there is a concordance between what he says, what he thinks and his behavior. This definition of the value of sincerity is applicable to any human being, regardless of his origin and regardless of the time in which he lives. In this way, human values ​​are universal and therefore valid for everyone.

A moral requirement that allows us to guide our conduct

Whoever acts motivated by the value of generosity or justice, he does so because he considers it his moral obligation. This means that your assessment of something is the consequence of your moral sense.

The moral dimension of human values ​​is what allows us to judge others and ourselves. On the other hand, human values ​​are a reference that helps us interpret reality from a critical perspective. In this way, we are outraged by injustice because we are driven by the value of justice and we decide to help those in need because solidarity guides us.

Our conduct is motivated by several factors: survival instinct, learned social norms, and human values. The survival instinct is "written" in our genes, social norms are agreements made by the whole of society and human values ​​have a global and universal dimension, but each individual incorporates them in their own Value scale.

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