Education in Values and Spirituality :: Introduction to Values and Spirituality

Module 1 Unit 1 - Concept, Definition and Classification of Values

Moral, ethical and spiritual values represent the aspirations of a society and act as its guide. Values are principles, self-imposed rules or the ethical policy we adopt in order to travel through life with a clear conscience. There are many temptations, illusions and negative experiences which prompt us to do wrong. People who practise values develop inner strength to resist otherwise common human weaknesses. The values in a person’s life reveal their character and determine their moral and ethical choices.

Because moral and spiritual values are abstract and hard to conceptualise, they are contrasted with material values which tend to disable moral, ethical and spiritual values. Human values are derived from universal ideals. They are personal, their definitions are subjective and everyone has their own set of human values.

Values are expressed in interpersonal relationships. The more we identify with the inner self, the easier it is to relate to others on the basis of moral and spiritual values. When we are influenced by materialism, spiritual values are corrupted and material values become dominant. Recognition of our spiritual identity is necessary to develop values because all values dwell in the mental, emotional and spiritual self and not in matter. Values are often confused with desires, which is one cause of the crisis in values today. A lack of clear definitions creates contradictions and confusion, then something unethical gets cleverly described as a value to justify actions that are contrary to values. It is important to give greater priority to universal values than temporal ones when making ethical choices. The universal reference point for values is the Divine.

A value judgement arises from a clash between traditions, temporal values and universal values. We must analyse our motives and learn to recognise when we are tempted to make a value judgement.

Both internal and external challenges obstruct us from practising our values. Internal challenges arise from character weaknesses, while external challenges arise from the people and situations around us. It requires strength of character to perform ethically pure actions to uphold a principle, especially in the face of opposition. Truth is lived by morally strong people.

Values are integral parts of a well-adjusted holistic personality and are linked to our moral conscience. The attempt to live according to our principles brings us face to face with challenges that force us to recognise and confront our weaknesses. Any social context requires us to adjust and harmonise with one another. Any discrepancy between our thoughts, words and actions implies self-deception and a tendency to deceive others. Harmonious relations are based on honesty, open communication, trust and generosity. Our interdependence with the natural environment also demands our respect and love for the habitat of animals and plants to ensure the future sustenance of the world’s natural resources.