BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Alangilan Campus

UNIVERSAL
VALUES
Module 6
What is Universal Value?

 The word "value" means something that a

person or a group believes has a value that
merits being sought, promoted, or
privileged.
 This can be a thing (money, food, art), a
state of mind (peace, protection, certainty),
or a behavior that results from those things
or states of mind (protecting innocent
people, telling the truth, being creative).
What is Universal Value?

Universal values, however, can be understood

in two ways.

 It could be that something has universal

value because everyone finds it important.

 It could have universal value when all

people have reason to believe it has value.
What is Universal Value?

 Universal value is a concept that it is not obvious to

define because a principle is connected with morality
or ethics.
 It is difficult to transpose or apply to the level of the
group.
 In other words, all people have certain values that
come from within them and direct their actions.
 Because human beings do not think in the same way,
values can differ from person to person.
 Universal values, however, need to be socially
expressed.
What is Universal Value?
Schwarts Concept of Universal Values

 S. H. Schwartz, along with several

colleagues in the field of psychology,
carried out empirical research analyzing
whether there are universal values and
what those values are.
 Schwartz described 'values’ as
'conceptions of what is important that
affect the way people choose action and
evaluate events.'
Schwarts Concept of Universal Values
Below are each of the value types, with the specific related values alongside:
 Power: authority; leadership; dominance, social
power, wealth
 Achievement: success; capability; ambition;
influence; intelligence; self-respect.
 Hedonism: pleasure; enjoying life
 Stimulation: daring activities; varied life;
exciting life
 Self-direction: creativity; freedom;
independence; curiosity; choosing your own
goals
Schwarts Concept of Universal Values
Below are each of the value types, with the specific related values alongside:
 Universalism: broadmindedness; wisdom; social justice;
equality; a world at peace; a world of beauty; unity with
nature; protecting the environment; inner harmony
 Benevolence: helpfulness; honesty; forgiveness; loyalty;
responsibility; friendship
 Tradition: accepting one's portion in life; humility;
devoutness; respect for tradition; moderation
 Conformity: self-discipline; obedience
 Security: cleanliness; family security; national security;
stability of social order; reciprocation of favors; health;
sense of belonging
Schwarts Concept of Universal Values

 Schwartz also tested an

eleventh possible
universal value,
'spirituality', or 'the goal
of finding meaning in
life', but found that it
does not seem to be
recognized in all
cultures
UN Charter of Universal Values
 In the lecture by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Global Ethics,
entitled “Do We Still Have Universal Values?”, delivered at Tübingen
University, Germany, he stressed this quotation, “The values of peace,
freedom, social progress, equal rights and human dignity, enshrined in
the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, are no less valid today than when, over half a century
ago, those documents were drafted by representatives of many
different nations and cultures.”
 Progress, equal rights, human dignity are acutely needed in this age of
globalization.
 In the Millennium Declaration according to Annan, “all states
reaffirmed certain fundamental values as being essentials to
international relations in the twenty-first century”: freedom, equality,
solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and shared responsibility.”
UN Charter of Universal Values
 Looking at the fundamental values mentioned above and the provisions
under the Charter of the United Nations, countries of all nations and
cultures must apply these principles to maintain peace and security in the
world. Rich, poor, developed, underdeveloped, advanced, or not and highly
technological or not countries must not only adapt but implement these
values seriously.
 In reality, the presence of discrimination, double standards, injustice,
partiality, oppression, etc., can be seen in an international setting.
 It is admittable that the nations, which are advanced are powerful than
those states in poverty considered as weaker states.
 If all nations in the world despite differences in races, colors, international
standings, cultures, religions, customs, traditions, set aside their respective
self-interests, peace and security in the whole world will evidently possible.
 It can be described as, unified, cooperative, promoter of mutual
understanding, and peace-loving nations.
 A better future for all the countries in the world.
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:
 Happiness – it refers to good fortune; pleasure;
contentment; joy.
 Under the notes on Aristotle's Nicomachean
Ethics, “happiness or flourishing or living well is
a complete and sufficient good.
 This implies that it is desired for itself, that it is
not desired for the sake of anything else, that it
satisfies all desire and has no evil mixed in with
it, and that it is stable.
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:
 Peace – is a freedom from disturbance;
tranquility.
 It is a state or period in which there is no
war or a war has ended.
 A state of mutual harmony between people
or groups, especially in personal relations:
 Example: Live in peace with your
neighbors.
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:
 Freedom – is the state of being
free or at liberty, freedom from
control, interference, obligation,
restriction, hampering conditions,
etc.; power or right of doing,
thinking, speaking, etc., according
to choice.
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:

Safety - is the state of

being safe; freedom
from the occurrence or
risk of injury, danger, or
loss.
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:
 Intelligence – is a capacity for
learning, reasoning,
understanding, and similar forms
of mental activity; aptitude in
grasping truths, relationships,
facts, meanings, etc.
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:
 Respect - as a formal expression or gesture
of greeting, esteem, or friendship:
deference to a right, privilege, privileged
position, or someone or something
considered to have certain rights or
privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy;
acknowledgment: respect for a suspect's
right to counsel; to show respect for the
flag; respect for the elderly.
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:
 Equality – is the state or
quality of being equal;
correspondence in quantity,
degree, value, rank, or ability:
promoting equality of
opportunity in the workplace.
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:

Justice – is the quality of

being just; righteousness,
equitableness, or moral
rightness: to uphold the
justice of a cause
Basic Universal Human Values
Hereunder are some of the basic universal human values:

Nature – is the material

world, especially as
surrounding humankind
and existing independently
of human activities.
Basic Universal Human Values

Hereunder are some of the basic universal

human values:
 Health – is the general condition of the
body or mind with reference to
soundness and vigor: good health; poor
health.
 soundness of body or mind; freedom
from disease or ailment to have one's
health; to lose one's health.
Basic Universal Human Values

 Dignity is the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.

 "A man of dignity and unbending principle" is an example.
 It refers to bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or
appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.
 It is the importance and value that a person has, that makes other
people respect them or makes them respect themselves.
 Dignity is earned and cannot be taken away from anyone.
 It must be preserved so that the respect of others is maintained.
 Any act or action to be done by an individual will be reflected in his
or her personality.
 Only one big mistake can ruin a good reputation for anyone.
 People must be very careful of his or her action and words to be
said.
The Human Dignity
 The 1987 Philippine Constitution Article 2 Section 11 provides,
“The state recognizes the dignity of every human person
and guaranteed full respect for human right.”
 This implies that any person in whatever capacity, economic
and social status, rich or poor, educated or uneducated
deserve to be respected by anyone.
 There are instances that a simple individual is respectful more
than professionals.
 The status in life is not a guarantee that an individual has
dignity and honor.
 It is in the inner self of a person, an innate character built and
developed day by day of anyone.
 Whatever action to be done will reflect on whom and who you
are.
References
1987 Philippine Constitution. Article 2 Section 11

Sen, Amaya. (1999). Democracy as a Universal Value. Journal of

Democrcay, 10 (3)
References
https://teachinglegalethics.org

https://www.slideshare.net/SAFNAKV/universal-value

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_value

https://www3.nd.edu/~afreddos/courses/180/nicomach.htm