Universal Human Values

UNIT 1 UNIVERSAL HUMAN VALUES *

Structure
1.0 Objectives
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Understanding Human Values
1.3 Human Values from Individual to Universal Perspectives
1.4 Human Values Dictating Day-to-Day Life Decisions
1.5 Pillars of Human Values
1.6 Relevance of Human Values
1.7 Let Us Sum Up
1.8 Key Words
1.9 Some Useful Books/Articles/Links
1.10 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

1.0 OBJECTIVES
After going through this unit, you will be able to:
●● explain the meaning of human values and how they have been
universally conceived;
●● discuss the notions of human values from individual and
universal perspectives;
●● highlight he importance of various pillars of human values;
●● identify the role of human values in dictating day-to-day
decision-making choices; and
●● recognise the potential and relevance of human values for
general well-being.

1.2 INTRODUCTION
Human values can be understood as the values that have been conceived and
preferred by the people in a society that has inspired their actual conduct
and behaviour and prepared them to attain the best in their lives. Human
values involve the process of selection, preference and acceptance of certain
values for life.
For instance, humans are considered as social animals who have evolved a
very complex social system with the enhanced capacity to retain, transmit
and improve upon the knowledge they possess. Throughout the evolution
of humankind, understanding of people according to their environment has
changed drastically. The process of change that humans have experienced

*Dr. Namit Vikram Singh, Assistant Professor, Delhi School of Journalism, Delhi
University, Delhi.
Acknowledgments : Mr. Raghav Srivastava, graduate student, Bennett University.
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Civic Awareness in different stages of their lives is to a greater extent influenced by human
values within a society.
The nucleus of society’s advancement has been the ever progressing and
evolving thoughts and ideals of people. Human values, in this regard too
have evolved through time and remains to do so as per the changing social
and cultural environment of a society. The complication emerges when
people of a society are subjected to
different types of social environments Human values, as discussed by
and hence, their values tend to shape Nicolai Hartmann (1967), can
differently. Individually, values can be be understood as the conditions
different but on a collective level, the which determine and shape
common qualities can be seen as the human culture and also is
social glue, which binds them together conditioned by it in order to gain
in a society. These values that people universal acceptance.
hold to be significant and desirable
are referred to as human values. These
human values are embedded deeply
and influence attitudes, conclusions,
and actions of people. They represent
the things that are valued, significant,
and worthwhile in life, including
truthfulness, integrity, respect,
compassion, freedom and justice.
They serve as a basis for moral
decision-making and help people
decide what they believe to be right or
bad in light of their own personal or cultural convictions.

1.2 UNDERSTANDING HUMAN VALUES

Tracing the origin of human values can be a complex process, as these
values have multiple sources of origin. Human values have always aimed
to be constructive in nature, which in turn could provide a sense of balance
and collective engagement within a society.
It is important to state that human values have evolved over a very long
period. Humans have created and recreated them based on their social and
cultural surroundings such as:
●● Influences from Culture and Society: Culture has a big impact on
how people value things. The socialization processes that take place
in families, communities, educational institutions, and larger cultural
contexts frequently result in the transmission of values. Specific
values within a culture can arise and are reinforced through cultural
norms, traditions, and practices.
●● Family and Upbringing: The formation of human values is
significantly influenced by family dynamics and upbringing. An
individual’s value system is greatly influenced by the values they
are taught by their parents or other key caregivers, as well as by the
family’s cultural, religious, or ideological backgrounds.

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●● Formal Institutions and Education: Education, both formal and Universal Human Values
informal, is a key factor in determining values. Values can be taught
at educational institutions through their curricula, instructional
strategies, and extracurricular activities. The development of people’s
value systems can be influenced by the values that are promoted in
educational systems and institutions.
●● Personal Experiences and Interactions: Human values can be shaped
and altered through personal experiences, such as social interactions
and exposure to various viewpoints. Events can have a positive or
negative impact on a person’s values by causing them to reflect and
reevaluate their views and priorities. Examples of such events include
personal successes, hardships, or experiencing injustice.
●● Media and Popular Culture: By promoting popular ideas, customs,
and lifestyles, media, including television, films, books, and social
media, can shape values. A person’s exposure to new ideas, challenges
to their held beliefs, or reinforcement of society values can all be
influenced by the media.
●● Religion and Spirituality: For many people, religion and spiritual
beliefs play a crucial role in forming the core of their human values.
A framework for moral principles, ethical precepts and value systems
that affect believers’ behaviours and decision-making is frequently
provided by religious teachings and scriptures.
●● Evolutionary and Biological Factors: According to some
academics, some values may have evolved because they promote
social cohesiveness and cooperation. A person’s propensity for
specific values or moral judgments may also be influenced to some
extent by biological variables like genetics and brain shape.

1.3 HUMAN VALUES FROM INDIVIDUAL TO

UNIVERSAL PERSPECTIVES
Human values as a concept can be interpreted from different individual
perspectives as it has multiple nodes of origin. For instance, in the case
of India, the very notion of human values can be understood from four
“purusartha” which identify ‘Artha’, ‘Kama’, ‘Dharma’ and ‘Moksha’
as fundamental human values. These values have been defined among
others by Kautilya and Vatsayana. According to these scholars, ‘Artha’
has been interpreted as the value of existence and maintenance of human
life. It emphasizes on material gain and physical well-being. ‘Kama’ has
been defined as the pleasure resulting from satisfaction of desires. The
sensuous desires have been interpreted in the form of gratification which is
necessary for human well-being. ‘Dharma’ has been interpreted as the law
or principles of integration and maintenance of things. Lastly, ‘Mokhsa’
reflects the supreme goal of human life which is liberation or salvation from
the effects of ‘Karma’.
Similarly, from Buddhist perspectives human values have been defined
based on four eternal truths. These truths have been identified as ‘Shashwat
Satya’. The truths are as under:

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Civic Awareness a) Life is not devoid of sorrows, suffering and anguish, etc.
b) The anguish and suffering have a cause.
c) The suffering that an individual faces can be put to an end.
d) There are many ways and means through which pain and suffering
can be overcome in life.
Buddhism in this regard has also elaborated that if a person is unable to
define the real vs unreal due to ignorance, then that person is bound to
suffer. As a result, the ultimate goal of the individual is to make himself or
herself self-aware about his or her surroundings that can help him or her
to achieve true knowledge for liberation. Buddhism has recommended the
eight-fold path that can help an individual to lead a balanced life and well-
being. These are as under:
a) Right Perception (Samyak Drishti).
b) Right Determination (Samyak Samkalpa).
c) Right Speech (Samyak Vaka).
d) Right Conduct (Samyak Karma).
e) Right Vocation (Samyak Ajivika).
f) Right Exercise (Samyak Vijayama).
g) Right Memory (Samyak Smriti).
h) Right Meditation (Samyak Samadhi).
Human values ultimately take a universal shape if they are similar in
practice among different cultures throughout the world. The meaning behind
each value is uniform and universally accepted across different social and
cultural spaces. Some of the human values which have gained a universal
acceptance are:
1. Un-Biasness 2. Loyalty 3. Cooperation 4. Transparency 5. Objectivity
[Link] 7. Inspiration 8. Social Responsibility 9. Managing Conflict
The presence of universal human values in any organization or a society
can help in enhancing the credibility among the stakeholders, facilitating
decision-making choices in a rational way, promoting self-discipline,
encouraging objectivity in life and most importantly ensuring trust and
balance among the individuals in a larger setup.
One of the stark differences that can be seen between individual and universal
human values can be that individual human values are directly concerned
with the development of human personality. It focuses on reshaping the
individual’s norms and outlook towards honesty, loyalty and honour. On the
other hand, universal human values are those which have a greater social and
cultural acceptance, and these values are oriented towards human growth
and development. Despite the difference between the two, universal human
values take shape only when individual human values gradually take shape
into a collective and gain a mass acceptance from different socio-cultural
spaces of society.

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 Universal Human Values
1.4 HUMAN VALUES DICTATING DAY-TO-DAY
LIFE DECISIONS
It is important to point out that our daily decision-making processes are
greatly influenced by human values. They have an impact on the decisions
we take, the steps we take, and the behaviour we display in different spheres
of life. Human values have the following effects on our decision-making
process:
1. Prioritization: By identifying which possibilities are consistent with
our values, human values enable us to prioritize what is important in
our lives and directs our decision-making accordingly. For instance,
if we value honesty, we are more likely to incorporate it in our lives
when interacting with others and making decisions, even if it is more
challenging or uncomfortable for us.
2. Ethics: Human values act as a moral compass for us, helping us to
discriminate between right and wrong. They aid in our analysis of the
ethical consequences of our choices and deeds. Fairness, integrity,
and compassion are examples of values that can help us make morally
right judgments by motivating us to think about how our actions will
affect other people.
3. Setting Objectives: Our personal goals are influenced by our values.
They influence our desires and define what we regard as important
and satisfying. The course we take in life and the goals we choose for
ourselves are determined by our values. For instance, if we place a high
value on personal development, we might make seeking educational
or professional development opportunities our top priority.
4. Relationships and Interactions: Our relationships and social
interactions are influenced by our values. They help us make decisions
about our friendships, partnerships, and team projects. Trust, respect,
and empathy are values that affect how we treat people and the kinds
of interactions we strive to build.
5. Personal Well-Being: Our general happiness and well-being are
influenced by human values. We feel genuine, content, and peaceful
when we make choices that are consistent with our core beliefs.
Internal turmoil, remorse, and discontent can result from disregarding
or acting contrary to our ideals.
6. Long-Term Effects: Values encourage us to think about the long-term
effects of our choices. They encourage us to contemplate the bigger
picture of how our decisions affect us, those around us, and the planet
beyond the immediate gains or short-term benefits. For instance, if we
prioritize conservation and lessen our ecological footprint, we may
make decisions that reflect this goal.
7. Self-Reflection and Self-Awareness: Reflecting on oneself and being
aware of oneself are encouraged by values. We can better understand
our motives, beliefs, and desires by looking at our values. Because
of our increased self-awareness, we can make choices that are in line
with who we truly are and advance our personal development.
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Civic Awareness It is, therefore, important to remember that people may prioritize and interpret
values in different ways, resulting in a range of viewpoints and approaches
to decision-making. Furthermore, social and cultural factors may have an
impact on the values that are stressed and reinforced in a specific setting.
Human values nevertheless play a significant role in our daily decision-
making, guiding us through the challenges of life and ensuring that our
deeds are consistent with our fundamental beliefs.
Check Your Progress 1
1. Discuss the key points which determine how human values are
formed.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. Briefly explain how human values dictate the choices one makes in
the one's day-to-day lives.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

1.5 PILLARS OF HUMAN VALUES

It is important to note that human values have certain fundamentals which are
necessary for any society to exist in a state of balance. These fundamentals
are as under:
a) Truth
b) Love
c) Peace
d) Non-Violence
e) Righteous Conduct
These fundamentals are not only interrelated but also inherent in human
beings which define their human-like qualities. These fundamentals can be
seen important for human values because they are in line with the human
beings and give rise to many other related values in different social and
cultural spaces. As a result, understanding human values without these
fundamentals may provide a distorted or a narrow outlook to how human
values help in promoting a state of balance within a society.
In the case of ‘Truth’, it is an important fundamental which dictates
our conscience. It is relative and keeps changing according value, to
circumstances. It provides a sense of integrity in life and therefore is a very
important human value.
‘Love’ can be understood as a spontaneous feeling which is affected by the
sub-conscious mind. It is different from emotion. It helps in ensuring that
one person is sensitive to the sense of happiness and well-being of the other.
It is a value which binds people and allows them to exist as a collective unit.
‘Peace’, on the other hand, projects a state of mind which is indifferent
towards the superfluous desires and needs or the urge to acquire resources
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in vast proportions. Peace denotes the willpower of the individual in Universal Human Values
disconnecting himself from the superficial elements of society and lead a
life of freedom and balance.
‘Non-violence’ reflects the tendency of an individual in acquiring something
without the need for conflict or violating anything. It can be considered as
one of the highest achievements of humans living in a state of harmony.
Non-violence, however, also requires love in order to ensure that the actions
of an individual do not violate anything and there is a state of balance.
‘Righteous conduct’, on the other hand, focuses on the actions of the
individual and to what degree it is not biased, based on conscious decision-
making that is rational and fair. This is another important fundamental of
human values that encourages collective engagement of people in a society.
Thus, what can be seen in regard to human values is that these fundamentals
are the core which shape human values and also redefine to be universally
accepted across the globe. Since these fundamentals are interlinked, the
existence of one also influences the existence of other, which in turn defines
the human values in absolute.

1.6 RELEVANCE OF HUMAN VALUES

The ability of humans to comprehend the environment and adapt to the
changes, whether it be physical or mental is astonishing. Humans have been
undergoing different degrees of difficulties and have also overcome them
with great efficiency. It has also become a part of people’s consciousness
that their challenges cannot be addressed while ignoring human values.
These values have become the guiding force which encourage people to
consider each other’s values and treat each other with equal respect and
dignity.
Human identity is fundamentally defined and shaped by human ideals. They
affect people’s thoughts, beliefs, behaviours, and relations, adding to our
understanding of what it is to be human. Here is how having human values
makes one more human:
●● Reflection on Past Experience: Our feeling of purpose, meaning,
and what we regard as significant in life are all closely related to
human values. They are a reflection of our ideas of what is just, moral,
and true. Values compel people to consider their motives, behaviour,
and effects on both themselves and other people. One thing that sets
humans apart from other creatures is the capacity for reflection.
●● Making Moral Decisions: Human values serve as a moral compass
that directs people in coming to ethical conclusions. Our perceptions
of right and wrong are influenced by values like honesty, compassion,
justice, and integrity, which also shape our behaviours and actions.
One of the most important aspects of being human is having the
ability to make moral decisions.
●● Shaping Interactions: Human values shape our interactions with
others and how we traverse our social environment, which in turn
shapes our behaviour and relationships. Harmonious relationships,
empathy, and a sense of community are fostered through values like
respect, empathy, and cooperation. Our behaviour and how we treat
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Civic Awareness others is governed by our values, which nurture traits that are crucial
for human social relationships.
●● Personal Growth: Personal growth is hugely influenced by human
values. Individuals are motivated to learn new things, acquire new
talents, and improve themselves by values like learning, curiosity,
and self-improvement. Values give inspiration and guidance for self-
reflection, experience-based learning, and the pursuit of personal
excellence.
●● Identity: Human values are intricately entwined with our sense of
identity, which is expressed as individual identity. They showcase our
distinctive viewpoints, convictions, and goals. Values enable people
to express their uniqueness and make decisions that are consistent
with who they truly are. The richness and complexity of the human
identity are enriched by the diversity of values among individuals.
●● Well-being: Human values are frequently linked to happiness and
the desire for a happy life. Compassion, kindness, and altruism are
virtues that benefit both the self and others. People can foster happy
feelings, create lasting relationships, and improve their communities
by upholding these ideals.
Thus, human values are relevant for human life, as they help in shaping
an understanding about how people can identify what basic human values
mean and how can they be incorporated in their day-to-day practices for
positive well-being.
Check Your Progress 2
1. What are the fundamental pillars of human values?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. How are human values translated into universal values?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

1.7 LET US SUM UP

This unit provided an understanding of what human values mean and how
they have different sources of origin. They ultimately focus on positive well-
being and a state of balance in society. We learnt that human values do not
emerge as universal values. They undergo different stages of transformation
where individual values ultimately gain a collective recognition, which
defines these values as universal in nature. Further, the role of human values
in the day-to-day activities of individuals and how it promotes a rational
engagement in society was discussed. This unit enabled the learner to gain
clarity in terms of how one can conduct himself in a manner that encourages
unity, peace and a state of balance in society. Lastly, the unit highlighted
the fundamental pillars like ‘Truth’, ‘Love’, ‘Peace’, ‘Non-Violence’ and
‘Righteous Conduct’ which are crucial to understand human values.

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 Universal Human Values
1.8 KEY WORDS
●● Truth: It is an important fundamental value which dictates our
conscience. It is not relative and changing according to circumstances.
●● Love: It can be understood as a spontaneous feeling which is affected
by the sub-conscious mind. It is different from every-day emotion.
●● Peace: It projects a state of mind which is indifferent towards the
superfluous desires and needs or the urge to acquire resources in vast
proportions.
●● Non-Violence: It reflects the tendency of an individual in acquiring
something without the need for conflict or violating anything. It can
be considered as one of the highest achievements of human living in
a state of harmony.
●● Samyak Drishti: Right Perception.
●● Samyak Samkalpa: Right Determination.
●● Samyak Karma: Right Conduct.

1.9 SOME USEFUL BOOKS/ARTICLES/LINKS

Dagar, B.S and Dhull, I. (1994). Perspectives in Moral Education. Uppal
Publishing House, New Delhi.
Gogate, S.B. (2011). Human Values and Professional Ethics. Vikas
Publishing House, New Delhi.
Sinha, K. (2021). Human Values and Virtues in Indian Perspectives. B.R.
Publishing Corporation.

1.10 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

EXERCISES
Check your Progress 1
1. See Section 1.2
2. See Section 1.3
Check your Progress 2
1. See Section 1.4
2. See Section 1.5

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