Human values: what they are, types and examples

When we reflect on our values, we usually do so by thinking about what is important to us, for example, independence, work, security, etc. In this sense, over the years, Each of us has adopted a series of values ​​as our own and that we use to orient ourselves in uncertainty.. In fact, they are the ones who motivate many of our decisions.

Additionally, we usually place these adoption values ​​on a scale of importance -very useful when they come into conflict-. For some, professional success may be more valuable than pleasure, while for others family is more fundamental than professional development. Thus, a particular value may be very important to one person, but not to another.

In this sense, the values ​​that guide us are our creations, in the words of Adams (2013): “we create our values ​​from what we value, from what matters to us enough to live or die” (p. 29 ). Without them it is difficult for us to conceive a happy life.

What are the human values?

On the one hand, we can understand human values ​​as a set of social norms that facilitate relationships and coexistence between people. They are valid at a certain time and period. They are limited to a particular historical context that defines them according to the degree of importance they have for human and social development.

On the other hand, being more specific and focusing more on the person, we can affirm that values ​​are beliefs or principles that guide life, resist change and are at the center of an individual’s belief system (Rokeach, as cited in Stefani, 2013). Values ​​transcend situations and actions.

Values, as independent qualities of objects, situations and actions, must be life-builders, since they are associated with it and with what is potentially harmful (Martínez, 2014). Thus, murdering another person is not a value (it is an anti-value), even if it is considered valuable to the person who performs such an action. It is not enough for something to be valuable for it to be a value, it must also be capable of building existence.

Thus, we can affirm that the values ​​are characterized by:

Be a set of beliefs. Refer to desirable goals that people strive to achieve. Transcend specific situations and actions. Guide people’s actions. Form an ordered system of priorities in people. Be life builders.

Types of securities

Values ​​can be classified into different types within which we can find the following (Scheler, 2001):

1. Sensitive

They are all those that impress us sensitively. It is considered one of the most subjective values, since it refers to the preference of goods that generate enjoyment and pleasure, like or dislike. An example of them are the joy of starting an adventure, fun, the joy of dancing, among others.

2. Vitals

They are those who They give meaning to our life project. They are based on well-being. For example, health, vigor, productivity and vital force, as well as economic goods.

3. Spiritual

They are characterized by their independence from the world; vital things must be sacrificed before them (Ibáñez, 1968). They are subdivided into three fundamental classes:

Aesthetics: are related to pleasant reactions and I appreciate that they generate harmony, order and beauty. For example, contemplating the harmony of nature or the beauty of a sunset in the mountains, etc.Ethical: are associated with doing good. For example, justice, honesty, sincerity, solidarity, among others.Intellectuals: are those of the search for truth and wisdomfor example, philosophy, sciences.

4. Religious

Are those that occur in the search for absolute being and shake the root of our being (Ibáñez, 1968). Examples of them are religion, faith, transcendence.

What values ​​are worth more?

All values ​​are important and valuable in themselves, otherwise they would not be values. However, Martínez (2014) formulates five criteria adapted from Max Shceler (2001) that allow us to know what makes one value more valuable than another.

Universality: one value is more valuable than another if does more good for most people in that same situation. For example, human dignity (sacred value) is more valuable than a soccer game (vital value).Depth of satisfaction: one value is worth more than another to the extent that generate a greater experience of compliance. For example, making a fair decision (ethical value) is more important than giving a gift to a loved one (aesthetic value).Durability and stability: one value is more valuable than another if lasts longer and is more stable. For example, what you learn by studying philosophy or medicine is more important than ice cream (sensitive value).Proximity to the absolute: one value is worth more than another if it is more close to the highest good, the absolute value.Constructive: one value is worth more than another to the extent that said value helps preserve life more and human dignity.

Values ​​and life

Values ​​are a central aspect in our lives, they are our compasses, they guide us in the search for that which resonates within us. Besides, They are one of the foundations to have an authentic existence. In this sense, Van Deurzen (2002) maintains that authentic life consists of making decisions in accordance with those values ​​that we think are worth committing to.

In our life, values ​​give meaning to our actions. By committing to their realization and living by them, we are building a valuable life. “My life will only have meaning if I develop my own value system” (Adams, 2012, p. 31). These not only underlie the achievement of an authentic life or the meaning of it, they would also permeate a good part of our sources of tension.

From an existentialist view, anxiety is understood as apprehension about the threat to some value that we consider essential to our existence (May, 2000). It is an existential reaction that warns us that the values ​​with which we identify are being threatened.

Since anxiety and values ​​are closely related, in existential therapy anxiety is not considered a problem to be solved, rather it is an opportunity to get closer to the person’s experiential world and their value system. Recognizing these values ​​and deploying them will make it easier for the person to have an authentic and meaningful life that they consider worth living.

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