VALUES EDUCATION
Module 8 – The hierarchy of values
Lesson 1 – The nature of hierarchy of values
a. The hierarchy of values is a range of higher and lower values in which the moral and ideological
order of life is established; the order of these values is highly debated and difficult to
determine, because to reach a conclusion the process is subjective because it will depend
on personal, group, educational, cultural and social perspectives; e. g., if one is to choose
between quality time for his/her family on the one hand, and better economic
opportunities abroad on the other hand, which alternative would one value more?
Lesson 2 – The importance of the hierarchy of values
a. The importance of the hierarchy of values are convictions that determine, guide and guide a
person's behavior, aspirations, interests and behavior in society; e. g., should one pursue
college education, or join a band to perform at gigs?
b. Values are the foundations of social life, which allow the coexistence of people; its hierarchy
helps to set priorities; e. g., should people stay home to curb a national epidemic, or go to
work to sustain national economy?
c. The most important values are those that are part of the identity; they indicate the way we
express ourselves and live; e. g., should a gay man remain in the closet so as not to offend
his pious parents, or out himself to assert his basic human right to gender expression?
d. The clearer the values and their hierarchy, the orientation and the very meaning of life are
determined according to purpose and perspectives; e. g., if I will be truly honest in my
business dealings, I will lose a lot of business opportunities
e. Teaching the importance of the hierarchy of values at school, home and in social groups from
an early age can contribute to a better view of the composition and functionability of
values in humanity; e. g.; if I valued games more than house chores at home, chances are I
will value personal convenience more than social responsibility in the community
f. Commercial distractions, products, new communication standards and interpersonal
relationships have relegated the inculcation of values at all levels, both family and social,
academic and work; e. g.; if I value social media so much that I dedicate long hours to my
gadgets, chances are I will be oblivious of the presence of people around me, and deprive
them of the attention they deserve
g. The order of degree of values has been displaced in many cases in line with the changes that
modernity is undergoing; e. g., in order for me and my spouse to be able to afford a house
and a car, we might decide to postpone having children, and be content with having sex
without any intention of serving the very purpose of having sex in the first place, i. e., that
of begetting children
h. Globalization can be one of the main reasons that the cultural values of society are
disappearing and creating new “values”; e. g., a bulul figurine is manufactured in Ifugao,
Philippines, sold by a call center agent in Mumbai, India, and displayed in a souvenir store
in Quebec, Canada; while an Ifugao values the figurine as a manifestation of his ancestors,
the Canadian values it as an exotic commercial item
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