Human Values and Theori

es
Aguila, Kate Eunice
Alcantara, Lloyd Alvry
Macale, Mark Minard
 Human Values and Theories

Human Values
are ideas, actions, habits, or experiences t
hat contribute to the promotion of human
life. Since values are not equal in their wor
th, the conduct of a person depends largel
y on his wise choice of values.
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Value Man is not only an animal; he is a pers
on. No other corporeal substance is a
person. Only man is. Man is a person b
ecause he has the gift of insight (intelle
ct) and volition (will). We often refer to
a person as self, or ego. There is no bas
ic difference between these two terms.
Both imply the self-sufficiency of the p
erson. Both imply worth or value.
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 Value

The self is the first and most fundamental of the values.

All others are such in relation to the sublime dignity of t
he person. Actions, for example, are values because the
y are the result of intellect and will, motivated towards s
omething desirable: another value.
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Values
It has been said that values are the goal
is intimately related of man’s striving, having as their purpose
to the search for m to render human existence meaningful a
nd to achieve the complete fulfillment of
eaning in human lif man’s personality as individual and as a c
e. ommunity. Values enable man to chang
e, to establish self-control and self-directi
on. The Power of PowerPoint | thepopp.com 5
 Kinds of Values
Values are classified according to the level of human life to which they correspond.

Biological Values
These are necessary to the physical survival of man as an organism.
a. Life and Health
b. Food and Shelter
c. Work
Social Values
These are necessary to the sensual needs and fulfillment.
a. Leisure and Sex
b. Marriage
c. Family and Home
d. Parental Authority
e. Education
Rational Values
Those are necessary to the functions and fulfillment of intellect and will.
a. Understanding and Control of Nature
b. Guide and Control of Oneself
c. Solidarity with Fellowmen
d. Religion The Power of PowerPoint | thepopp.com 6
 What we consider moral values are
those that directly pertain to the fu
nction of intellect and will: those ch
oices, decisions, and actions, by whi
ch man’s rational faculties are invol
ved and perfected. All other values

Moral Values – biological, social, or rational – whe

n they fall within the exercise of ma
n’s freedom of choice assume the q
uality of moral. In this sense, all val
ues are moral in reference to their
use or abuse by man as a free agen
t.
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Von Rintelen, in his article “A Realistic Analysi
s of Value,” defines moral value as “a qualitati
vely determined value-in-itself which has a no
rmative obligatory character and presupposes
the liberty of possible decision, a decision to e
ffectuate real value in concrete acts of varying
degree.”
 Characteristics of Moral Values

Moral Values are goods having intrinsi

c qualities of desirability.

are universal, that is, they a

Moral Values ppeal to man as man and t
o man as a specific individu
al.
are obligatory. They come as a natu
Moral Values ral duty, because possession of the
m is expected as an integral quality
to man as rational creature directe
d by natural powers towards truth,
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beauty, and goodness.
 Other Values

Social Values

03
are those that are necessary for the promotion of huma
n society as a whole, integrating the motivation and inte
rests of members towards the common objective or go
al.
Cultural Values

02
are those man shares with others in a given commu
nity of persons, shaping their spiritual kinship, and
directing their attention to define ideals of behavior.

Religious Values

01
are those which pertain to man’s relati
onship with the Deity, guiding and reg
ulating his communion with Him.

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The Hierarchy of Values

The hierarchy of values refers to the order of v

alues from the lowest to the highest in importan
ce. Speaking of their intrinsic worth, values do n
ot have the same degree of desirability. Neither i
s it possible to incorporate all values at the same
time in our lives. The Science of Ethics may help
people in their choices, but for all practical purp
oses, it is responsibility
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The Aristotelian ranking

of values
appears justified. The goods pertain
ing to the soul, that is, to the intelle
ct and will occupies the higher level
of importance. The biological values
occupy the lowest rank. That we sh
ould aim for the most essential valu
es is common sense enough.
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 Choosing Our Values

01 02 03 04
Permanent or lasting va Values favored by a gre Values that are essentia Values that give greater
lues must be preferred ater number of people l must be preferred ove satisfaction must be pr
over temporary or peris must be preferred over r those that are acciden eferred over those that
hable values (education those that appeal only t tal (health over beauty). provide short-lived plea
over courtship). o a few (discipline over sures (pursuing your ar
personal freedom). tistic hobby over fanatic
al devotion to a movie s
tar).

Every man has to choose his values. He is wise indeed who chooses values
according to their intrinsic worth.
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God the Highest Valu

e
God is goodness, the perfect good. He is
the exemplar of all goodness found in all
creatures. He is the plenitude of everythi
ng desirable. Thus He is the Summum Bo
num, the ultimate and absolute good tha
t will fulfill all human desires. God is the
ultimate end of human life.
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God is not only the Alpha and the Om

ega of the created universe, He is the
preserver of values. Without God, not
hing is worth valuing, for even the per
son of a human being loses its meani
ng, and life itself becomes a useless a
nd aimless wandering in the avenues
of time.
 Ethical Theories
Plato
He believed that man is free. Thus, ma
n deserves to be punished for the “sin
s” he freely commits. Happiness is not
found in the things that merely serve
man’s use, nor in the pleasures of eart
hly life, but in making the soul like to G
od by the contemplation of the Idea of
the Good and by the exercise of virtue
Aristotle St. Thomas Aquinas
Man has threefold nature: vegetal, animal, The Highest Good, or Summum Bonum con
and rational. Man must realize his nature sists in “beatific vision” of God. No earthly g
by cultivating all his natural tendencies. Th ood can fully satisfy human desires. Man, b
e highest good correspond to the tendenc ecause of his rational appetites of intellect
y of the soul. But man needs likewise to ful and freewill, can only be completely happy
fill his basic biological and sensual needs, in God Himself.
guided by temperance.
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 Ethical Systems
Islamism 1
Islam is a philosophy of life, a complete s 1. Confession of Creed: “There
is no God but Allah, and
ystem of living, based on the Word of Go
Mohammed is his prophet.”
d revealed to Mohammed. Islam teaches 2. Prayer brings man in the
that the Greatest Value is one’s surrende
3.
right relationship with God.
Charity.
2 Buddhism
r to God. This consists of the fulfilment o
4. Observance of the 1. Life is the root of all
f the Five Pillars: The Greatest Value according to Buddha
Ramadan. sufferings.
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca. is the liberation of man from suffering th 2. Suffering are caused by
rough the abandonment of all egoistic de desires.

Utilitarianism 3 sires. The Four Noble Truths of Buddhis 3. Desires can be eliminated by
negating life.
m are: 4. Elimination of desires can be
The Greatest Value, according to Jeremy Bentham, one of its propo achieved by accumulating
nents, is pleasure. But man, being a sociable animal, must conduct karma or deeds that
his affairs in a way that would benefit others. Thus, the greatest mo eventually free the
individual.
ral good is that “which gives the greatest happiness to the greatest 4 Communism
number of people.” John Stuart defines the greatest good: “By happ
iness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain; by unhappines Communism is based on the teachings of Karl Marx. The Greatest
s, pain and the privation of pleasure.” Good is absolute equality. The mission of communism is the produ
ction of material wealth by means of collective labor, so that the g
Christianism 5 oods of this world might be enjoyed in a paradise where each wou
ld give according to his powers and would receive according to his
Christianity is based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. Christ t needs. Communism aims to build a classless society. Until such go
aught that the Greatest Value is Love. God is love. Christian morality al is attained, the State shall rule absolutely.
is essentially based on love which embraces even the enemy. The Power of PowerPoint | thepopp.com 17
Thank You for Listening!

Human Values and Theories

Aguila, Kate Eunice
Alcantara, Lloyd Alvry
Macale, Mark Minard