University of Munster ， Germany， Prof.Hans -Peter Grosshans 大 会
报告
Core
Values
–
in
an
European
perspective
Since the French Revolution in
1789 libert y, justice and solidarit y are
considered to be the main ideas of
modernit y and therefore from the
programmatic slogan of the French
Revolution
“libert y,
equalit y,
fraternit y” corresponding values were
derived.
The
German
Social
Democrats declare, that in modern times the purpose of equal liberty has
become the embodiment of justice, and that since then libert y, justice
and solidarit y are the core values of liberal -democratic socialism.
Liberty is the possibilit y to live autonomous. But whether he or she
can live reall y this freedom depends from societ y as well. Therefore
societ y needs a certain order. Every human being has to be free from
degrading dependencies, from misery and fear. But he or she as well
must be given the possibilit y to develop one’s qualities and to participate
in societ y and politics in responsible ways. The German Social
Democrats state, that onl y those, who are sufficientl y safe in social
respect, can use their freedom.
Justice is based on the equal dignit y of every human being. Justice
is equal liberties and equal opportunities in life, independent from birth
or gender. The German Social Democratic Part y makes explicitl y clear:
Equal opportunities of life are not the same as leveling down every body.
Rather it means to create space for the unfolding of individuality.
The core value of solidarity means mutual connectivity, togetherness
and help. It is the readiness of people to help each other and to stand up
for one another, be it among strong a nd weak people, be it among the
generations or be it among people. The Social Democratic Part y in
Germany sees these three core values in their unit y realized in the idea
of Democratic Socialism with a societ y of free and equal people.
First, the introduction of the three core values with reference to the
French Revolution. Second, a unit y of the three core values is claimed,
with no hierarchies or preferences or dominance within this unity. Third,
the three core values need to be defined. They are obviou sl y ambiguous
concepts, which make it necessary to interpret and to define them. For
each of these core values a variet y of interpretations and definitions is
possible and perhaps plausible.
Core values are rather abstract and complex intellectual criteri a for
the orientation of people in life in general and in their decisions between
good and bad. The discussion on core values in the last decades
concentrated very much on core values for a societ y as a whole. In this
respect freedom, justice and solidarit y are important core values of a
societ y. But unfortunatel y the old values of European Christianit y have
at the same time not got the necessary attention: love of neighbor,
compassion and mercy. Such values are not onl y expressions of our
individual prefer ences and choices. Such values have an objective realit y
transcending individuals.
Core values have a different direction than the modern European
core values libert y, justice and solidarit y, as these modern core values
are directed to the general structu res and orders of societies. The core
values of old Europe, formed in the spirit of Christianit y, are directed to
the concrete living together of people in a societ y and beyond. In m y
diagnosis many of nowadays societies lack especiall y these old,
religiousl y grounded, core values.