MEANING OF VALUES

Value is a dynamic term used in different aspects. While studying the nature of values it becomes clear that reputed scholars and learned persons have, from to time, used the term value in a dynamic aspect. Apart from the religion preachers and spiritualists, the economists, educators, humanists, philosophers, political leaders, psychologists, social reformers, sociologists and thinkers have reflected upon the meaning and dimensions of the concept Value. Although their views differ widely but all of them stress the significance of values at personal, national and global level.

Values are those things that really matter to us the ideas & beliefs we hold as special. In other words values is what an individual desires, like or prefers.

MEANING OF VALUE
In our daily life conversation, we use the word Value so many times as we have to express our preference, liking, desired idea or way of life.

The term value has been derived from a Latin word Velere which means to be of worth . Value stands for the price, quality, importance, utility of a thing or idea. It may be described as an emotional attitude (affective) which motivates a person directly, or indirectly to act in the most desirable way.

MEANING OF VALUE
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEANING: Anything that satisfies our desire is value.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEANING

BIOLOGICAL MEANING: Characteristic of a thing or activity which help in conservation and furtherance of our life.
ETHICAL MEANING: Those thing and activities which help in making our soul perfect. PHILOSOPHICAL MEANING: Value signifies neither a thing nor an individual but a thought or a point of view. As such, everything which is useful to an individual becomes valuable to him.

BIOLOGICAL MEANING: ETHICAL MEANING: PHILOSOPHICAL MEANING:

VARIOUS VIEWS ABOUT VALUES

According to Milton Rokeach: A value is an enduring belief that a specific mode (ways) of conduct or end state of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode (way) of conduct or end state of existence. A value system is an enduring organization of beliefs concerning preferable modes of conduct along with a continuous of relative importance.

It is observed that value are so deeply embedded in human thoughts and actions that it is extremely important to understand the essence underlying values. In view of this, views of some thinkers are given here.

VARIOUS VIEWS ABOUT VALUES

According to Zaleznik & David (1964) Value as the ideas in the mind of men comparable to norms in that they specify how people should behave. Values also attach degrees of goodness to activities and relationships.

Values are socially approved drives & goals that are internalized through the process of conditioning, learning or socialization & becomes subjective preferences, standards & aspirations : Prof Radha Kamal Mukherjee (Eminent sociologist- Lucknow University)

Raths et. al. (1966) write that Persons have experiences; they grow & learn. Out of experiences may come certain general guides to behaviour. These guides tend to give direction to life & may be called VALUES.

What is a value?
Qualities, characteristics, or ideas about which we feel strongly. Our values affect our decisions, goals and behavior. A belief or feeling that someone or something is worthwhile. Values define what is of worth, what is beneficial, and what is harmful.

illustration:
You have been given a check for Rs1000.00 to do whatever you like with it. What would you do with it? What you spend the money on has everything to do with what you value. Similarly: What you choose to do with your time also has everything to do with what you values.

NATURE OF VALUES
Values ate the standards or guidelines for an individuals life. Values are influenced by an individuals experiences, desires and specific situations. Values are the standards or guidelines for a nation that guide its policies. Values steer our lifes journey.

Values are not static. Values are modes of organizing conduct. Values are acquired sub-consciously in many ways. Values possess both cognitive and effective dimensions. Values can be structured and restructured through processes of reflective thinking. Values animate an individual. They move him around in his environment as they define its attractive and repelling sectors.

Values energize individuals to action. Values are organized into value systems. The total number of values that constitute an individuals value system is not very large. The value of a thing is on account of the fact that the thing has the power to satisfy our desires. Anything has a value if it relates to the purpose of an individual which he has in his life.

Anything which has utility has value. Values are felt sometimes partly and sometimes wholly. Values are helpful for survival. Anything which is helpful in organizing society is called value. Values are influenced by emotions. Values are derived from several sources.

 Immaturity:
Unclear values Uncertain

Maturity
Clear values Clear Life purpose

Hypocrite One who subscribes to one set

Values give direction and consistency to behavior.

GOALS, PRIORITIES & DECISIONS

Values establish a relationship between you and the world.

VALUE
influences

BEHAVIOUR & ACTION

FROM WHERE DO WE GET VALUES?

(SOURCES)

Our homes School Society Friends & Sibling Mass Media Religious Institutions Music Books & literature Family

Culture & religion Type of philosophy Time-period (temporal) Location (spatial)

Different people and things influence our values at different ages:

Ages 1-7 --- parents

Ages 8-13 --- teachers, heroes (sports, rocks, TV)

Ages 14-20 --- peers

Ages 21+ your values are established, but you