Lesson 7: UNIVERSAL VALUES Lesson Objectives (KSA): At the end of this chapter, the students will be able to: a) Identity the different universal values b) Explain why universal values are necessary for human survival c) Value commonalities among people rather on differences What is Value? • is a quality that gives worth to people, things, events or situations. • the moral characteristics inherent in a subject (PERSON), for example: piety, responsibility, respect, love, kindness and etc. What is Universal? • is an adjective that is related to what belongs or which relates to the universe. • the set of all things created and what is common to all its kind. What are Universal Values? • they imply behavioral standards necessary to live in a harmonious and peaceful society. • associated with morality or ethics • all people have values from their interior to guide their actions, humans do not think same way • values can vary from one person to the other • but values can be socially shared in a community and even to the whole world. • When they are shared, they become common or universal. • acquired from family, religion and school. Basic Universal Values The function of most of these basic values is to realize or maintain the very highest or most basic universal core values of life, love and happiness. Hereunder are some of the basic universal HUMAN VALUES: 1) Happiness 7) Human respect 2) Peace 8) Equality 3) Love 9) Justice 4) Responsible Freedom 10) Nature 5) Safety 11) Health 6) Intelligence 12) and many more… The Human Dignity • comes from the Latin word, ‘dignitas,’ which means "worthiness." • implies that each person is worthy of honor and respect for who they are, not just for what they can do, or what they have. • cannot be earned and cannot be taken away. • an inalienable gift given to us by God • every other good thing in life depends on the safeguarding of our fundamental dignity. Universal Declaration of Human Rights to Preserve Human Dignity • human dignity is the recognition of the inherent dignity. • the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world." • the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to be treated ethically. • originates from God and is of God because we are made in God's own image and likeness. Human life is sacred because ▪ the human person is the most central and clearest reflection of God among us. We, human beings have transcendent worth and value that comes from God, that’s why our worth and value are not based on: ▪ any human quality, ▪ legal mandate ▪ individual merit ▪ accomplishment Human dignity is inalienable, because: ▪ it is an essential part of every human being ▪ it is an intrinsic quality that can never be separated from other essential aspects of the human person. Human beings are qualitatively different from any other living being in the world because, human beings are capable of: ▪ knowing ▪ loving God Belief in the dignity of the human person is the foundation of morality. In other words, the study of ethics should aid us as to how to respect the dignity of every person. REFERENCE: Leaño, Gubia-on, Ocampo, (2018). Ethics For College Students. Mindshapers Company Incorporated. Manila, Philippines.
