Values:

Values are a measure of the worth or importance that we attach to something. They are
principles, qualities or standard that an individual or society holds in high regard. They are
the principles that serve as guiding principles in our lives. Values are the basis of our
behaviour and motivation. Our values may define how we behave in response to an external
stimuli.
Beliefs can be considered as a sub-set of values. They come from our experiences and are
important part of our identity. They may be cultural, religious, ethical or moral. Beliefs are
precious because they reflect who we are and how we spend our lives. Our values and belief
affect the quality of our work and all our relationships. Values are long lasting beliefs. When
our commitment grows and we perceive something to be of importance, a belief becomes
value. Beliefs are concepts that we hold to be true, in reality, it may not be true whereas
values are ideas that we hold to be important. Both beliefs and values govern our behaviour
and attitude. Beliefs may come from culture, faith, education, experiences. Values are a result
of the importance that we give to happiness, wealth, career, success and family.

Types of Values:
1. Personal Values: Personal values are endorsed by an individual. Some people regard
success as their important value and hence spend less time with the family whereas
someone else may attach more importance to the family and try to spend some time
with the family.
2. Moral Values: Moral values are governed by the standards set by the society. They
help to determine if something is morally right or wrong. For example, freedom,
equality, fairness, charity etc.
3. Aesthetic Values: Aesthetic values are those which are associated with the evaluation
of artwork and beauty.
4. Patriotic Values: Patriotic values are those which instill patriotism in an individual.
This may be developed as a result of the family influences besides other reasons.

Core Values:
1. Five Core values: The following five core values are important for all human beings:

i) Integrity: Knowing and doing what is right even when the situations are
difficult.
ii) Respect: Treating others the way one wants to be treated in.
iii) Sportsmanship: Accepting both, victory and defeat without grudges and
bringing in the best to all the competitions and being resilient.
 iv) Service for the common good: Being generous in empowering others and
helping them grow.
v) Being human: In the run for name and fame, humans have lost the value of
being humane. Being humane include qualities like being kind, social,
compassionate, and overall good Samaritans.
2. Core values of professionals:
There are some core values desired in a professional are:
i) Strong Work Ethic: An employee should have the willingness to
work hard for the organization. In modern times working hard stands at
par with working smart in terms of importance. Employees should try
to complete the work on time and exhibit good time management skill.
One should not waste the organization’s time in completing personal
work. This is strongly detested by the employer. The employee should
exhibit commitment towards work.
ii) Positive Attitude: A positive attitude helps the employees to remain
motivated to complete the job irrespective of the inevitable hurdles that
haunt every project or work. Having a positive attitude will help
motivate other employees too that results in increased productivity and
team work.
iii) Dependability and responsibility: Employees who come to work on
time and own the responsibility of their actions are valued more by the
employers. The employees should be dependable too. When a task is
assigned, the employee should keep the supervisor abreast of the
changes.
iv) Positivity: An employee who is positive and self-motivated spreads
positivity and cheer. A positive employee motivates others and believes
that the work will be completed. This belief makes it easier for the
work to be actually completed on time.
v) Honesty and integrity: There should be no difference in the words
and actions of an employee. The employee should practice what he
speaks about. An honest employee is an asset for the employer.
vi) Professionalism: A professional behaviour is appreciated by the
employers. Professionals complete high quality work and are detail-
oriented. They are enthusiastic about their work and optimistic about
the future and growth of the organization. It also includes learning all
the aspects of the job and doing it to the best of one’s ability.
vii) Loyalty: If an employer cannot trust the employee, the relation is not
to last long. An employee must be loyal to the organization he is
working for. Passing on vital information to competitors, behaving in a
way as to damage the reputation of the organization, make a person
disloyal and hence detested.
Indian tradition and culture truly reflects the core human values. Such values highlight the
integrated view of a good life. The Indian system of four purusharthas highlights four
pointers of human life- Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha.
Dharma: It reflects personal virtues, duties and obligations in the society to uphold harmony
and order. It highlights the moral principles of a person and social conduct.
Artha: It includes the pursuit of material values of wealth and power.
Kama: The concept of Kama deals with sensual pleasures and fulfillment of natural desires
and inclinations.
Moksha: It means liberation, emancipation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth and
attains a state of ultimate bliss.

What is Ethics?
The term Ethics have been derived from a Greek word Ethikos which again is extracted from
another Greek term Ethos which means custom or character. Ethics is a branch of philosophy
that includes a set of moral principles that helps us to understand the moral standards and
differentiate between the right and wrong conduct. Thus, we can say that ethics are moral
principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity. They are a set of
moral principles- a theory or a set of moral values, a consciousness of moral importance.
Here moral denotes one’s particular values concerning what is right and what is wrong.
However, morals usually connote an element of subjective preference, while ethics tends to
suggest aspects universal fairness and the question of whether or not an action is responsible.
The principles of ethics help refine the character of an individual and positively affect one’s
intellect, perception, intentions, motives, behavior, temperament, judgment and emotions.
Thus it helps a person to act with integrity. By being ethical, we enrich our lives and also the
lives of others around us. Ethical decision making requires an individual to follow the
established norms of behaviour. By practicing and making an effort to make ethical decisions,
an individual becomes ready to face the challenges of moral dilemmas bravely and
effectively. Today we find ethics as a moral map that eliminates confusion while dealing with
moral issues and clarifies them well. It brings with it moral justifications and choosing that
one right answer would provide a means to live a good life.

• Historical Development:
o Ancient Ethics:
▪ Socrates: Introduced the Socratic method, a form of cooperative
dialogue to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. He
emphasized virtue and the role of knowledge in ethical behavior.
 ▪ Plato: Developed the theory of Forms, suggesting that non-material
abstract forms (like Goodness) represent the highest level of reality and
ethical standards.
▪ Aristotle: Focused on virtue ethics, proposing that moral virtue is a
mean between two extremes. He also emphasized the importance of
habituation in developing virtues and achieving eudaimonia
(flourishing).
o Medieval Ethics:
▪ Augustine: Integrated Christian doctrine with classical philosophy,
emphasizing the importance of divine grace and the conflict between
earthly desires and spiritual ideals.
▪ Aquinas: Combined Aristotelian ethics with Christian theology,
proposing that natural law, which is accessible through reason, aligns
with divine law and guides moral behavior.
o Modern Ethics:
▪ Immanuel Kant: Introduced deontological ethics, which asserts that
actions are morally right if they follow a universal moral law,
regardless of consequences. His Categorical Imperative emphasizes
acting according to principles that could be universally applied.
▪ Jeremy Bentham & John Stuart Mill: Developed utilitarianism, a
consequentialist theory that evaluates actions based on their outcomes,
aiming to maximize overall happiness or utility.
o Contemporary Ethics:
▪ Feminist Ethics: Critiques traditional ethics for neglecting issues
related to gender and care, emphasizing the role of relationships and
care in moral reasoning.
▪ Postmodern Ethics: Challenges universal ethical standards and
emphasizes the relativity of moral values, highlighting the diversity of
ethical perspectives across cultures.

What are Moral Values?

Morals are formed out of an individual’s sense of values and beliefs. It relates to the worthy
principles by which we define what are good and evil. In short, morals are principles on
which one’s judgment of right and wrong are based. Morals refer to an individual’s code of
behavior which is strongly based on religious or philosophical principles. It governs a
person’s behavior and choices. It expresses the ideas about a good life. Individual morals are
derived from society or culture or self or government or religion. Moral values are principles
that guide an individual's behavior, decision-making, and interactions with others, based on a
sense of right and wrong. They are often rooted in cultural, religious, or philosophical beliefs
and are essential for building strong relationships, maintaining social harmony, and
promoting personal growth.

Common moral values include:

1. Honesty: Truthfulness and sincerity in words and actions.

2. Kindness: Compassion, empathy, and concern for others' well-being.
3. Respect: Valuing the dignity, autonomy, and worth of all individuals.
4. Responsibility: Accountability for one's actions and their consequences.
5. Fairness: Justice, equality, and impartiality in all dealings.
6. Self-discipline: Control over one's emotions, desires, and behaviors.
7. Humility: Modesty, self-awareness, and recognition of limitations.
8. Gratitude: Appreciation and thankfulness for life's blessings.
9. Forgiveness: Letting go of resentment and anger towards oneself or others.
10. Courage: Standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.

Moral values serve as a foundation for:

- Personal character development

- Building trust and strong relationships
- Making informed decisions
- Resolving conflicts and dilemmas
- Creating a positive and just society

By embracing moral values, individuals can cultivate a strong sense of purpose,

direction, and integrity, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

What is Ethical value?

Ethical values are principles and beliefs that guide human behavior, decision making and
interactions with others. They are based on moral principles and standards that define what is
right and wrong, good and bad, and just and unjust.
Ethical Values include:
1. Honesty: Truthfulness and transparency in all interactions.
2. Respect: Valuing the dignity, autonomy and worth of all individuals.
3. Fairness: Justice, equality and impartiality in all dealings.
4. Compassion: Empathy, kindness and concern for others’ well-being.
5. Responsibility: Accountability for one’s action and their consequences.
6. Integrity: Consistency between words, actions and values.
7. Humility: Modesty, self-awareness, and recognition of limitations.
8. Courage: Standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.
9. Perseverance: Persistence and determination in the face of challenges.
10. Forgiveness: Letting go of resentment and anger towards oneself or others.

Moral values and ethical values are related but distinct concepts:

Moral Values:

- Focus on personal character and individual behavior

- Emphasize right and wrong, good and bad
- Often based on cultural, religious, or philosophical beliefs
- Guide personal decisions and actions
- Examples: honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility

Ethical Values:

- Focus on principles and standards for behavior in specific contexts (e.g., profession,
organization, society)
- Emphasize justice, fairness, and respect for others' rights and dignity
- Often based on rational reasoning, laws, and social norms
- Guide interactions with others, decision-making, and actions in specific situations
- Examples: integrity, accountability, transparency, fairness
Key differences:

- Moral values are more personal and individual, while ethical values are more contextual and
relational.
- Moral values focus on character traits, while ethical values focus on principles and
standards.
- Moral values are often based on beliefs and emotions, while ethical values are based on
reason and rationality.

Virtue Theory:
Virtue ethics stresses the importance of developing good habits that align with one’s values,
and understanding that your actions reflect who you are and influence who you will become.
Virtue ethics can be traced back to Aristotle, who considered virtue an end rather than merely
the means to some other end. While other approaches to ethics often focus on what people
ought to do to achieve their ends, virtue ethics focuses on virtues and how virtuous behaviour
can contribute to happiness and fulfillment in life.
A virtue (Latin: virtus stands for moral excellence of a person) is a trait of excellence,
including traits that may be moral, social, or intellectual. The cultivation and refinement of
virtue is held to be the "good of humanity" and thus is valued as an end purpose of life or a
foundational principle of being. In human practical ethics, a virtue is a disposition to choose
actions that succeed in showing high moral standards: doing what is right and avoiding what
is wrong in a given field of endeavour, even when doing so may be unnecessary from
a utilitarian perspective. When someone takes pleasure in doing what is right, even when it is
difficult or initially unpleasant, they can establish virtue as a habit. Such a person is said to
be virtuous through having cultivated such a disposition. The opposite of virtue is vice, and
the vicious person takes pleasure in habitual wrong-doing to their detriment.
Virtue theory of ethics emphasizes on the kind of person who is acting; in particular it deals
with the role of his or her character. Such a theory does not primarily focus on consequences
of action or one’s duty. The theory is concerned about whether the person acting has ideal
character traits or is expressing a good character (moral virtues). The character traits can be
good or bad. The good character traits are a mark of excellence in character which we call
virtues. Such character traits need to be nurtured which in due course becomes stable in one’s
life. Person with a strong character have nourished and refined moral, emotional, intellectual
and social virtues that help them to do the right things. This determines the ethical values of a
person. Such person stays strong with those virtues amidst varied difficult and unfavorable
situations in life as that is his character and not because he wants to gain favor or maximize
social good or sense it as his duty. Thus a sound character trait acts as moral foundation for an
individual’s action.
 Civic Virtues:
Civic virtues are the moral duties and rights, as a citizen of the village or the country or an
integral part of the society and environment. An individual may exhibit civic virtues by
voting, volunteering, and organizing welfare groups and meetings.
The duties are:
1. To pay taxes to the local government and state, in time.
2. To keep the surroundings clean and green.
3. Not to pollute the water, land, and air by following hygiene and proper garbage disposal.
For example, not to burn wood, tyres, plastic materials, spit in the open, even not to smoke
in the open, and not to cause nuisance to the public, are some of the civic (duties) virtues.
4. To follow the road safety rules.

On the other hand, the rights are:

1. To vote the local or state government.
2. To contest in the elections to the local or state government.
3. To seek a public welfare facility such as a school, hospital or a community hall or transport
or communication facility, for the residents.
4. To establish a green and safe environment, pollution free, corruption free, and to follow
ethical principles. People are said to have the right to breathe in fresh air, by not allowing
smoking in public.
5. People have inalienable right to accept or reject a project in their area. One has the right to
seek legal remedy, in this respect, through public interest petition.
George Washington embodied the civic virtues as indispensable for a self-governing
administration.
These virtues are divided into four categories:
1. Civic Knowledge
Citizens must understand what the Constitution says about how the government is working,
and what the government is supposed to do and what not to do. We must understand the basis
of our responsibilities as citizens, besides duties and rights. We must be able to recognize
when the government or another citizen infringes upon our rights. It implies that the
government requires the participation of the enlightened citizens, to serve and survive.
2. Self-Restraint
For citizens to live in a free society with limited government each citizen must be able to
control or restrain himself; otherwise, we would need a police state—that is, a dictatorial
government to maintain safety and order. He advocated for morality and declared that
happiness is achieved and sustained through virtues and morals. He advocated and
demonstrated self-restraint several times in his private and public life, and naturally he was a
great leader.
3. Self-Assertion
Self-assertion means that citizens must be proud of their rights, and have the courage to stand
up in public and defend their rights. Sometimes, a government may usurp the very rights that
it was created to protect. In such cases, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish that
government (e.g., voting rights, rights call back).
4. Self-Reliance
Citizens who cannot provide for themselves will need a large government to take care of
them. Once citizens become dependent on government for their basic needs, the people are no
longer in a position to demand that government act within the confines of the Constitution.
Self-reliant citizens are free citizens in the sense that they are not dependent on others for
their basic needs. They do not need a large provider-government, which has the potential to
become an oppressive government, to meet those needs. Only a strong self-reliant citizenry
will be able to enjoy fully the blessings of liberty.
These civic virtues, applicable to local, state, and central governments, nourish freedom and
civil liberty at the root of democracy.

Empathy:
Empathy is a social radar. Sensing what others feel about, without their open talk, is the
essence of empathy. Empathy begins with showing concern, and then obtaining and
understanding the feelings of others from others’ point of view. It is also defined as the ability
to put one’s self into the psychological frame or reference or point of view of another, to
know what the other person feels. It includes the imaginative projection into other’s feelings
and understanding of other’s background such as parentage, physical and mental state,
economic situation and association. This is an essential ingredient for good human relations
and transactions.

Trustworthiness:
Trustworthiness is related to ethics in two main areas: integrity and benevolence. A
trustworthy person is someone who will never exploit the vulnerability of others in a
relationship. At the heart of trustworthiness lies integrity- the quality of being true to one’s
values and principles, even in the face of challenges and temptations. It is unshakable
foundation upon which trust is built, fostering genuine connections and strong relationships.
Being trustworthy is not about making grand promises or using eloquent words to win favor.
Instead, it is a reflection of character- an embodiment of the values and ethics that guide our
decisions and interactions with others.
Trustworthiness is not confined to one’s public image; it permeates every facet of life, from
personal relationship to professional endeavors. In personal relationships, trustworthiness
fosters emotional safety, vulnerability and a deep sense of loyalty. It nurtures an environment
where individuals can share their hopes and fears without the fear of judgment and betrayal.
In professional realm, trustworthiness is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Leaders who
embody trustworthiness inspire confidence, motivate their teams and a foster a culture of
transparency and collaboration. Trust between colleagues cultivates a harmonious work
environment, where mutual respect and support flourish.
Building trustworthiness requires consistent effort and genuine authenticity. It involves
setting clear expectations and delivering on promises. When unforeseen challenges arise,
being open and communicative is essential, ensuring that trust remains intact even in difficult
times. The road to trustworthiness may be paved with challenges, as the actions of a few
untrustworthy individual can cast doubt on the integrity of others. However, by remaining
steadfast in our commitment to reliability and honesty, we can restore and strengthen the
foundation of trust within our communities.
In conclusion, trustworthiness is a timeless virtue that weaves the fabric of authentic and
meaningful connections in both personal and professional realms. If we embrace the power of
trustworthiness, and we’ll find ourself surrounded by a network of individuals who rely on
our integrity and stand by our side through thick and thin. Everyone should let
trustworthiness be the pillar upon which they build their relationships, and watch as it fosters
a sense of belonging and mutual respect in every aspect of your life.

Harmony:
The modern global society on one hand is marked by the new wave of democratization,
globalization of information, increasing international coordination; on the other hand is
characterized by conflicts, strifes, controversies, violent expressions of rights, violation of
universal norms, use of threat and force etc. All of these have generated disharmony and
chaos in the workplace, society and world at large. Harmony and peace is now out of our way
of living. To maintain wellbeing of people and of the global community, peace and harmony
is an essential requisite. Harmony can lead to effective productivity and creativity. It has an
immense capability to bring in social order. The root cause of most of our problems today is
the absence of harmony within oneself and then in the society. With the realization of power
and greed, peace and harmony has been outweighed today. It is high time that people must
realize the importance of compassion, kindness, perseverance, tolerance, justice, mutual trust
and equality that can resolve several disputes and restore harmony. Harmony is an ideal way
that can bring sustainable development in our economy and culture. It is the secret of long
term prosperity of mankind. An ambience that involves diversity and mutual integration can
usher in harmony and enrich relationships. The harmonious bonding can lead towards
consensus thinking. By exploring as well as by adapting to the environment and situations
more we can contribute towards positive values that would act as a driving force for
advancement of social progress and harmony. People’s effort towards mutual coexistence and
a notion towards common prosperity have the potential to cater the crisis, diminish the chaos
and constitute peace and harmony.

Each and every individual must make an effort to advance and promote harmony in their
surroundings. Altogether we can build a better world. There are some common ways through
which we can do it:

• Promote self-care as one need to be in harmony with self at first

• Everyone should make a personal commitment to stand against violence
• Provide help whenever you find someone lost, confused or fallen
• Raise your voice against discrimination
• A child must be taught to be kind to all
• Try to voluntarily serve the organization or associations that are making an
effort to promote harmony and peace in society
• Organize programs and activities that can involve maximum people of the
society which can generate coherence
• Connect with your neighbors.
• Be honest with family and friends
• Counter your anger and ego with compassion and empathy
• Make an effort to be tolerant towards disagreements and differences and
understand well
• Be an active listener
• Try to adapt when situation demands
• Support a worthy cause through donation or active participation
• Use positive affirmation
• Promote moral education in various educational institutions
• Raising voice for implementing adequate measures for workplace security
and safety
• Try to be in harmony with nature by promoting measures to protect natural
resources
• Understand the values and feelings of human relationships- Trust, Respect,
Affection, Guidance, Reverence, Gratitude, Love
 • Standing in united form against exploitation of mankind and nature
• Live and let live

Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory

Abraham Maslow in his “Hierarchy of Needs” theory has explored how a human being
gradually gets aspired to achieve highest potentialities and reach the excellence of human
nature. Maslow rightly pointed out that an urge to reach the highest level i.e. self-
actualization is deeply rooted in human psyche. It comes to the surface only when his basic
needs are fulfilled. When the society is able to satisfy only when his basic needs are fulfilled.
When the society is able to satisfy these basic needs and provides an amiable environment,
the individual is able to grow and realize the higher level of human nature. He gradually
matures and his deep desire for creative expression and self-actualization gets unfolded. This
leads to maximum psychological health. Accordingly happiness, courage, optimism,
responsibility and civility become a part of his life.
When physiological needs (food, clothing, shelter) of an individual are met, he strives to
achieve stability in life so that he no more remains in fear. He tries to lead a secure and
protected life. Once he achieves that, he longs for the next level of psychological need: need
for belongingness. An individual’s desire to connect with each other, form long term
relationships, healthy interactions help him to fetch more love and affection from his
community. This sustains him even in times of crisis and depression. This leads to a
wholesome growth of a healthy personality.
Then after a person long for the next level of psychological need which is that of esteem.
This need of esteem has sprung from being loved and embraced by his family members. He
naturally wishes to excel and acquire competency and get noticed for his abilities and talents.
He wants to do something worthwhile to gain respect, status, fame and admiration. This
motivation help him gain the psychological freedom to be creative and develop himself. The
external recognition and appreciation infuses in him a sense of self confidence and to be
generous.
After the psychological need, a person strives to fulfill his cognitive needs. Maslow rightly
identified that human beings have a need to enhance their intelligence and thereby chase
knowledge. Cognitive needs of a person reflects a natural yearning for learning, exploring,
analyzing and creating for better understanding of the world around him. When such needs
are not fulfilled, it leads to doubts, confusion and identity crisis.
Aesthetic need is the next level need of an individual. A person needs to refresh himself in
the presence of the beauty of nature, art and life which is fulfilled through their absorption in
their creative endeavor to extract the beauty the world has to offer. He rises above the
ordinary mundane concerns of living and takes a delight in artistic practices from which he
derives harmony. This nurtures their emotional and human capabilities.
Gradually a human being approaches towards self-actualization phase to make the most of
their abilities and strives to ‘become everything that one is capable of becoming.’ Self-
actualized people tend to experience a sense of awe, wonder and gratitude about life. They
are no more self-centred but cheerfully accept themselves and people around them and have a
feeling for mankind. They have a genuine desire to improve human condition, appreciate the
wonder and goodness of people as well of life. Their behavior reflects simplicity and
naturalness and they have an effective perception of reality.
Maslow later subdivided the triangle's top to include self-transcendence, also known as
spiritual needs. Spiritual needs differ from other types of needs in that they can be met on
multiple levels. When this need is met, it produces feelings of integrity and raises things to a
higher plane of existence.

Societal Values

We live in a society which is a community of people. If people have to live together as a

community, there has to be some common understanding between them as to how they
should behave. This common understanding will relate to a number of issues like duties and
responsibilities of each social behaviours. These will represent what the community values as
important and right. Over a period of time, practices will develop. There will be get togethers
to enjoy, relaxations through celebration and festivals, ways to resolve differences between
them and so on. All these indicate the values of a society. The aggregate of values constitutes
the culture of a society, just as the aggregate of values constitutes the character of an
individual. These will be reflected in the arts, sculpture, paintings, poetry, literature, plays,
cinema, dances, etc., the expressions of culture.
The term ‘societal values’ refer to those values which go into making a ‘good’ society. They
are operative in the social relationships, social structures and the basic social institutions
created by a society. Now, we have to understand what is society first. The sociological
definition of society is ‘Society is an organization for cooperative working to seek human
development, through production and distribution of sharable goods.’
Thus, firstly, society is an organization. Now, an organization is an entity different from its
constituents. In case of a society, these constituents are individual human persons, different
classes and groups, social, economic and political institutions and many other interrelated
sub-systems within the larger social system. The functioning, behaviour, goals and
organizational goals are different from those of its individual members. In fact, the individual
goals and organizational goals may be, and quite often are, in conflict with each other.
Societies evolve historically over long spans of time. In process, they develop distinctive
material and cultural features. These become the common heritage of the people belonging to
a society and affect the development of their inner and outer human personality.
The definition clearly recognizes that the main objective of all social arrangement is to seek
human development. The ‘human development’ should not be restricted to mean only social,
political, economic and other dimensions of material development. Rather, it should mean the
full flowering of the total human personality, through the realization of the whole spectrum of
human values which go into making a good life. The main focus of collective efforts at the
societal level is on ‘production and distribution of sharable social goods’. And this can be
achieved only through ‘cooperative working’ of the large number of individuals, groups and
institutions of the society. Each one has the responsibility to contribute to the production of
sharable common social goods.
Now the question is what are ‘sharable social goods’? They are of several kinds. The most
easily noticeable ones are the common physical facilities, like roads, means of transportation,
communication system, civic amenities, utilities like water, electric and gas supply, health
care system, recreational facilities and many other kinds of public services. They constitute
the infrastructure for building a good society. Opportunities and means for gainful
employment, jobs, career and other rightful ways of seeking personal economic advancement
are also a part of sharable social goods.
Right to a dignified way of life is a fundamental social good. In a good society it should be
available to everyone. It can not be achieved by material development alone. Constitutional
provisions on the rights, liberties and freedom of citizens are directed towards securing this
social good. Knowledge, education and culture constitute another category of social goods
which should be produced through social cooperation and distributed fairly in a good society.
A good society should provide fair opportunities to all its members to acquire these and
should encourage them to do so. The goal of human development will remain unfulfilled
without widespread dissemination of knowledge and learning in all their diverse areas.
Similarly, aesthetic sensibility and cultural refinement are essential components of human
development. Educational institutions, libraries, museums, art galleries, cultural centres,
sports centres etc. are created to help growth in these dimensions.
These reflections provide an answer to the second question, what is a good society? In the
context of societal values, the answer would be that a good society is one which has an
abundance of sharable social goods and in which they are equitably distributed. In such a
society, the fundamental rights and freedoms will be guaranteed to all, and the society will
provide them fair opportunities to lead a good life. It will encourage and help everyone to
grow to his or her full human potential.
Now, values and cultures are specific to each society. They are also specific to the times.
They change, but slowly. It would be futile to compare the values and cultures of one society
with that of another or of the same society at two different times. Neither will be better than
the other. Both are appropriate to the respective situations, because that is the way that
society at that time has chosen to organize itself.
Thus, we can say societal values are a set of principles that society considers morally
acceptable. They are created by a society’s traditions, cultural beliefs, institutions and
community dynamics. Societal values shape how society behaves and ensure that participants
can coexist. They can include: what is considered right and wrong, what is allowed and not
allowed, what is desirable and non-desirable, what is legitimate and punishable. Thus, social
values are principles that champions the holistic well-being of both current and future
generations.
The modern search for a good society emphasizes three fundamental societal values. These
are justice, rule of law and democracy. They are also the basic principles of good
governance.

Justice:
The word justice has different connotations in different contexts. At the individual level, it is
an important ethical virtue of a good person. Aristotle called it practice of virtue towards
others. In this sense, it means being fair in all social dealings, giving others what is their due,
not depriving anyone of his or her rightful property, reward, recognition or office, respecting
the rights and liberties of others, meeting valid demands others have on us etc.
The second use of the word is in the area of law. Legal justice is a formal procedure followed
by law courts for adjudicating conflicting claims of litigants. Legal issues are decided
according to the constitutional and legal provisions. Our main interest here is with justice as a
societal value. Justice as a societal value is a significant ethical virtue which is needed to
attain a social and economic order. It helps in protecting the rights of the aggrieved people of
the State and eliminating the glaring inequalities in aspects of wealth, income and property. It
is through the principle of justice that the rights and duties can be assigned to people of our
society and there can be a proper distribution of benefits and burdens as result of social
cooperation. Every society must strive to achieve a balanced growth of rural and urban
sectors and eliminate the existing disparities in the economy. This would curb conflicts,
exploitation, and injustices and help the disempowered masses acquire economic growth and
justice. The principle of Sarvodaya, the well being of all upholds the humanistic principle of
doing good to others that leads to realization of a just society. Political justice can also be
achieved in a State if the different classes and castes of society, different religion and cultural
minorities are empowered and are given due respect as well as power to have an equal say in
the matter of governance. Together it would bring in a sense of greater responsibility among
people in managing things and situations. Greater participation of women in building a
society would immensely help in contributing towards social well being and bring in proper
justice. Moreover, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948
stands as a hallmark to preserve a just and humane society as its Preamble states:
“….recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members
of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

Rule of Law:
Rule of Law like other constitutional principles has been described as supremacy of the law
by which each and every member of the society is governed. The doctrine of the Rule of Law,
as explained by Albert Venn Dicey, an eminent constitutional theorist, has identified the
following principles: a) Supremacy of Law, b) Equality before Law, c) Predominance of
Legal Spirit.
These laws are set of rules for upholding the fundamental rights of the citizen of the country
and regulating the social activities in accordance with the principles of justice. These laws
reflect the authority of the State as well as the penal actions that are ensured if the laws are
disobeyed. Rule of law is essential to maintain social collaboration and social order. It is duty
of the law enforcing agencies to protect the oppressed and the weaker sections of the society.
Justice should not be delayed as it says “Justice delayed is justice denied.” Laws must be
properly implemented and legal interpretations must be consistent i.e. for similar cases,
similar judgments must be ensured.
The Rule of Law reverses anarchy or tyranny, poses a legal barrier to government
arbitrariness, highlights that public welfare should be the dominant consideration and
safeguards the rights of the individuals in a country.

Democracy:
Democracy is the superior form of government that is essential to establish a just society.
Democracy intends to foster human development and upholds respect for individual dignity.
Democracy is more than that of a set of constitutional rules. As Abraham Lincoln rightly
states, democracy is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. The operations
of the government is guided, supervised and controlled by the representatives of the people.
In a democracy, sovereignty of the country rests with its people. Thus the government is
accountable to the people for their functioning and activities. Virtues of justice and rule of
law are significant aspects of a democratic government. Liberty, freedom, and rights of the
citizen are certain democratic ideals that help a society to prosper. The pillars of democracy
include Majority rule, Minority rights, Free and fair elections, Guarantee of basic human
rights, social, economic and political pluralism and values of tolerance, pragmatism,
cooperation. Democratic country provides opportunities to its people to exercise their rights
and understand their responsibilities as a citizen. A democratic government ensures that
communities can withstand conflicts and remain stable and integrated. An important value of
democratic nation is the freedom of thought, expression, speech and writing. A social
progress can be continued when people can exchange ideas, can have open discussion and
look through social criticisms. Then again it is expected from the citizens that they would use
the freedom or promotion of the common good. Right to seek information about the activities
and affairs of the state and public bodies is a crucial aspect of a democratic state. A
democratic nation stands firm because its people are aware and alert of the social and
political issue. It reflects that they can use their political power wisely to choose their
representative.

Aesthetic Values

Aesthetic values are concerned with our inherent sense of beauty. Perception, appreciation
and enjoyment of beauty and creation of things of beauty are very special and important
human activities. The experience of beauty makes life vibrant, colourful and happy. But
besides these largely sensuous pleasures, it can touch our deepest emotional chords and even
arouse noble human sentiments by stimulating our imagination and providing appealing
semblances of harmony, peace and unity. A beautiful flower, a great work of art, or an
evocative and soulful musical composition can transport an aesthetically sensitive person to a
higher realm of existence, above the ordinary and mundane concerns of living. The quality of
our life would be certainly poorer without such sensitivity and experiences. A refined
aesthetic sensitivity has always been regarded as an important hallmark of a cultured person.
As Bhartrihari declared some two thousand years ago, “A person devoid of (taste for)
literature, music and fine arts is veritably an animal, if without horns and a tail.”
Philosophically, Beauty has been ranked as high as Truth and Goodness. Satyam, Shivam,
Sundaram is a very well known credo of the Indian tradition. Here, the pursuit of fine arts,
particularly of music is often described as Sadhana i.e. a sacred and disciplined striving for
the realization of the Absolute. Whichever way we look at them, aesthetic values are essential
components of all that is valuable for human beings. They indeed contribute significantly to
the fullness of good life.
Areas of Aesthetic Experience:
The three main areas where we perceive beauty and experience aesthetic delight are i) Nature
ii) Art and iii) Human life
Beauty in Nature: Nature provides the most frequent and varied kinds of aesthetic
experiences. One of that is softness, smoothness and tenderness. The beauty of soft flower
petals, the soothing touch of whispering breeze, the feel of the morning dew under our feet as
we walk over a patch of grass, the tenderness of a bud, the smooth and mysterious envelop of
the moonlight and the tingling feel of the raindrops on one’s body, these are familiar sources
of aesthetic delight. Another is the riot of colours that nature freely provides: flowers from
flaming red to purest white, the profusion of different shades of green in the forest, the
parched brown of the desert sand, the deep blue of the expansive ocean, the pretty colouring
of butterfly’s wings, the full colour spectrum of the rainbow. We even experience the
symphony of sound, so to say, in the region of nature. The gurgling brooks, the rustle of
leaves, the chirping and singing of birds, the thunder of clouds and the roar of oceans, the
gentle crack of dry leaves under our feet- these are but a few of the various sounds that nature
provides quite on its own. Even the stillness of a dark night and the breathless calm of an
ocean can provide an experience that is not only captivating but a little awesome.
Yet, unquestionable though it is, the value of beauty is heightened by its contrast with
ugliness. Whereas beauty enchants, attracts and delights us, ugliness is generally a cause of
disgust and even depression. Nature provides quite a number of ugliness as well. The
devastation caused by an earthquake or a violent storm is pretty sickening and ugly. But much
more serious is the ugliness produced by man’s ruthless exploitation of nature because of
sheer greed: denuded hills, gaping holes left behind by mining, sheer barrenness followed by
the destruction of beautiful forests. It is men who with their greed destroy the peace and
beauty of nature.
Beauty in Art: But human beings are also the creators of beauty. They express their
perception of beauty through the medium of different kinds of art forms: music, dance,
literature, painting, carving, sculpture etc. Civilised societies have consciously built up
refined idioms and grammar for aesthetic expression of ideas, emotions and values through
these art forms. They reflect the aesthetic sensitivities and cultural refinements of a society
and constitute an important component of its cultural heritage. Great works of art have a
universal and timeless appeal. The imposing and graceful representational and decorative
work in temple art, expressive wall paintings of Ajanta, the geometric symmetry and
harmony of Taj Mahal, the enigmatic smile of Mona Lisa, the immortal writings of Kalidas
and Shakespeare, the serenity of the statue of Buddha in Abhaya mudra, the soaring tans of
Bhimsen Joshi, the lilting shehnai of Bismillah Khan, the better known films of Satyajit Ray-
all belong to the category of such great art. Their glory is manifest, because they embody
such important artistic values as symmetry, proportion, harmony, balance, flow, rhythm,
melody, charm and grace. However, they owe their charm not only to such formal
excellences, but to their content as well. In other words, their beauty resides not only in their
external form or structure, but in the emotions, thoughts and wisdom that they embody and
express. They even occasionally voice some basic truths of life and show us the way to live
happily, yet nobly. That is why their impact on us is deep and abiding. A truly great work of
art expands our consciousness, lends wings to our imagination, puts an edge on our aesthetic
sensibilities and so enriches and refines our life as a whole. Literary works speak to us more
directly. However, their communication is more like the gentle, loving, whispering counsel of
a beloved rather than the stern voice of a preacher. They prod us gently to reflect on subtler
values of life.
In addition to the sophisticated ‘high culture’ elitist art forms, we also have an equally
powerful parallel stream of folk arts. They are not too tied down to any technical norms, and
proceed more by the logic of feeling. Indeed, in their simplicity, naturalness, gaity and
exuberance they are more identifiably and more continually expressive of human feelings and
emotions than the classical arts. Every region, every village, and every tribe has its own rich
tradition of folk arts.
Beauty in Life: Life itself provides innumerable occasions for the perception of beauty.
These are qualitatively different from the experience of beauty in nature and in art. The
experience of beauty in human relations is at once a moment of loving warmth, happiness and
unity. It occurs quite without the intervention of cultivated aesthetic sensitivity and so is a
more pervasive feature of human life than the experience of the beauty of art and nature.
Examples of the perception of beauty in the purely human context are indeed easy to cite.
Here are some obvious ones: the sweet smile of a sleeping baby, elegant and grace of a
beautiful woman, the soothing tenderness in the voice of a mother rocking her child to sleep,
the rubby cheeks of healthy child, the glow on one’s face on meeting the loved ones after
long separation. Further, one could even see some beauty in the general flow of life, in its ups
and downs, or in its hopes and disappointments.

The Nature of Aesthetic Experience:

Aesthetic experience involves mainly two factors: the qualities of the object of beauty and the
aesthetic sensibilities of the viewer, the listener or the reader. That is, it has two aspects: the
objective and the subjective. Another important factor is the cultural ambience to which the
creator of the work of art and the person appreciating it belong. Although at a deeper human
level a thing of great beauty may have an universal aesthetic appeal, at the more common and
popular level, aesthetic expressions and appreciation are very much culture specific. For
example, it is generally difficult for an Indian, even with a sophisticated aesthetic sensibility,
to appreciate Chinese music, and vice versa.
To appreciate the nature of aesthetic experience, and the values involved in it according to
Indian cultural tradition, it would be of help to take note of some commonly used words in
Sanskrit and Hindi to describe the experience of beauty.
1. The first characteristic of something beautiful is that it attracts, i.e. it is Akarshak. It
just captures our mind and imagination, i.e. Manohari.
2. It is Ramaniya, i.e. the mind likes to dwell upon it.
3. It is Kamaniya i.e. one wishes for it, looks forward to it.
4. The chief quality of something beautiful in music, literature or art is that it is Saras,
i.e. full of Ras. The word Ras is untranslatable in English. It is something that can be
tasted and experienced, but cannot be adequately described like felt sweetness of
honey or the fragrance of a rose. A rough translation of Ras could be: something
aesthetically delicious, delectable, tasteful and lively. Its antonyms are the following:
Niras- tasteless, flat, monotonous, boring.
5. The beautiful is Madhur, i.e. sweet, agreeable, pleasant.
6. It is subtle, delicate and refined, not gross, loud or vulgar. That is, it has Lalitya.
7. Though quite manifest, it is not obtrusive. There is a kind of mystery and romance
about it which arouses curiosity and fuels imagination. That is, it has a measure of
Rahasya in it.
8. The beautiful is lovable, likable; it is Priya.
9. A truly aesthetic experience is such that it makes us forget other worldly concerns, We
get wholly absorbed in it. That is, it makes us Tanmoy.
 10. Its impact on the Rasik (the bearer of the aesthetic experience) is characterized by
several features. It produces a feeling of Ullash, an uplifting feeling of delight.
11. It produces Sukhanubhuti, a feeling of happiness, harmony, peace and fulfilment. It is
a state of perfect psychological equilibrium.
12. Ultimately, it leads to Ananda, perfect bliss.

Aesthetic Sensibilities:
The sense of beauty is part of human nature. Therefore, all human beings- including the
native, the rustic, and the uncultured- partake in it, in some way, and to some extent.
However, the flowering of aesthetic sensibilities requires some special qualities, both of the
head and heart. The concept of Suruchi or good taste occurs freely in our talk about art and
culture. It means the ability to distinguish the beautiful from the plain and the humdrum; the
refined and the elegant from the crude and the vulgar, and above all, the aesthetic from the
merely sensuous.
To be able to enjoy beauty in art, nature or life, one has to be a Rasika. The word literally
means one who is able to relish the taste of beauty. To be a Rasika, one has to be Sahridaya
i.e ‘one of similar heart’. For example, to enjoy poetry fully, the reader should be in a similar
state of mind and heart as the poet. For example, to enjoy poetry fully the reader should be in
a similar state of mind and heart as the poet. It involves aesthetic sympathy, empathy and
aesthetic imagination. A beautiful work of art is not a bland or slavish representation of
reality. It is rather a subtle, suggestive pointer to reality. So it triggers the creative aesthetic
imagination of the Rasik. The Rasik then explores the fullness of beauty and savours the
aesthetic charm of the work through his or her own artistic imagination. This becomes only
possible because the rasika is endowed with Pratibha or ‘creative fancy.’

Value Spectrum of a Good Life

The value spectrum of a good life encompasses various aspects that contribute to a fulfilling
and meaningful existence. It’s a multidimensional concept that recognizes the diversity of
human values and experiences.
Creative thinking is one of the most prized endowment of human beings. It has always
prompted great minds to dream of and to create visions of a good life. Every generation has
the responsibility to think, to dream and to articulate the general contours of the good life it
wants. Civilizations decay when they stop dreaming. The realization of a good life also
demands creation of capabilities and conditions for translating the dreams into reality. There
are differences in these dreams over different individuals, groups and cultures. Some of these
differences are matters of details, some more fundamental. Yet, there is a large measure of
commonality in the conceptions of values which constitute a good life.
A good life must be free from wants and deprivations. The basic material needs of food,
clothing, shelter, health-care, etc must be fulfilled. A good life should also have an adequate
level of ‘material decencies’ to provide material comforts and conveniences for the
enjoyment and enlargement of life. Mere biological level subsistence, and dawn to dusk
struggle for eking out a living cannot be called a good life. There should be adequate space
for relaxation and recreation. Values associated with the material aspect of living will be
called material values.
A good life can be lived only in a good society. Such a society is organized to achieve peace,
harmony, well-being and growth of all, (Sarvodaya). Its economic and political life is
governed by the principle of justice and equality. This is necessary to ensure social
cooperation of production of material and social goods, and an equitable sharing in the
produce of this cooperation. In a good society, individuals are assured of their human rights, a
dignified way of earning a livelihood, and freedom to grow to their full potential. These are
terms of societal values.
A person should have emotional maturity and intelligence, and a sound mental health to lead
a good life. Life should be free of psychological conflicts and stresses. Exploration of these
concepts will be done under the heading of psychological values.
Creation and enjoyment of beauty is an essential part of a good life. A refined aesthetic sense
is the hallmark of a cultured person. However, it needs conscious cultivation to develop a
taste for appreciating beauty in art, nature and life. Values related to this aspect of life are
called the aesthetic values.
A good life for all can be assured only on the basis of personal virtues, ethical sensitivities
and moral conduct of individuals. A self-centred, immoral life, devoid of sense of duties and
responsibilities towards others cannot be called a good life. A good person must be a moral
person. His personal conduct and social interrelations must be based on the ethical principles.
In fact, ethical and moral values occupy the centre-stage in a good life.
The vision of a good life, and the understanding of its different values components, is based
upon certain conceptions of the true core of human nature and personality, the fundamental
truth of external reality, the ultimate purpose of life, and the right place of human beings in
the whole scheme of things. Reflections on these questions lead to a metaphysical
understanding of life and reality. Beliefs and convictions regarding these matters give rise to
a set of spiritual values which colour every aspect of our life.
All these different values go into making a good human being and a good human society.
Therefore collectively they constitute human values. However, the term human values is
also used in more specific senses. One of them is the value of humanness, feelings of
empathy, sensitivity for human suffering and pain. Humanism uses the term human values to
signify the importance, dignity and centrality of human person in the whole scheme of values.
Their realization makes us fully and truly human. These are values of freedom, creativity,
love and wisdom.
We can thus put the different value dimensions of a good life into the following categories:
1. Material Values
2. Societal Values
3. Psychological Values
 4. Aesthetic Values
5. Ethical Values
6. Spiritual Values
7. Human Values

The value spectrum of a good life serves as a framework to:

1. Evaluate and balance various aspects of life

2. Identify areas for personal growth and improvement
3. Set goals and priorities
4. Make informed decisions aligning with values and aspirations
5. Cultivate a sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfilment

Changing value in contemporary society

While standing on this era we find that the members of the society deviating from their moral
values and ethical practices. Excessive emphasis of material aspects has led people to focus
on attaining the one and only path of personal happiness and gratification. Selfish
individualism and materialism have led us towards societal decay and disintegration. A
decline in our moral consciousness has negatively affected our thoughts, words and actions.
Therefore, the sense of righteousness, ethics, value and aesthetic sensibilities are often
compromised for personal name, fame and power. Thereby a value crisis in our society has
been prominent today which also reflects the pain, agony, frustration, helplessness and
turmoil of inner self of every individual in it. Values are the core of our behavior that affects
our goals, aspirations, preferences and even attitude. It is through such human values we
build relationships that strengthen social stability and progress. Unfortunately, the essence of
such values has been demeaned as people have started living with a set of conditions that
define themselves whether they are happy or not. Money, power and prestige are those
conditions on the basis of which an individual is evaluated today. There are no shared values
in a society and people have forgotten their basic identity as a part of the universal spirit.
Value crisis has been evident in varied spheres in our lives – individual, societal, intellectual
and cultural.

Value crisis at individual level

 a) Man slowly separates himself from cohesiveness of his family.
b) Nuclear families lead to development of self-sufficiency, selfishness and career
centric notions.
c) Individual disorganization leads to no. of drug addicts, mental patients, and alcoholic
persons.
d) Sole aim of today is attainment of material values. (More money, power, prestige)
e) Concept of today is “Happiness means more money” [high living and complicated
thinking]
f) People are more conscious about rights and not duties.
g) Adoption of double standards of value judgement.
h) Rise in expectation (unlimited wants)
i) Unethical deeds due to professional demands (Idealism vs Professionalism)

Value Crisis at Societal Level

a) Breakdown of joint families and fall of cooperative living
b) Unhealthy competition in political arena
c) Absence of distributive justice (Rich are becoming richer & poor becoming poorer)
d) Inequality still exists among castes
e) Lack of social consciousness among people about social evils like poverty,
exploitation & gender inequalities.
f) Insensitive to social obligations
g) Lack of implementation of the liberal humanistic values of governance
h) Little sensitivity towards sense of fair play, checks & balances

Value crisis at Cultural level

a) Ancient cultural tradition is more of a burden and a source of conflict among
people in nuclear families today
b) Breaking of cultural heritage of joint families
c) Intolerance towards ‘unity in diversity’
d) Viewing traditional restraints as a constraint on one’s individual freedom
e) Fast change in lifestyle (food habits, forms of greeting, entertainment,
interpersonal relations)
f) Change in taste of music, art & culture. (adoption of westernized culture)
g) Change in spiritual & aesthetic values
h) Traditional vs. modernity conflict
i) Ethical principles are devoid of Dharmic nurturance

Value Crisis at Intellectual Level

a) Intellectual temper is imitative (no creative writing)
b) Little evidence of intellectual honesty, objectivity (which are essentials of a
writer or creative worker)
c) Education is seen as a stamp of degree from prestigious colleges
 d) Learning lacks virtue (no moral goodness, restricted to awards & recognitions)
e) No importance to aesthetic, spiritual experience of life. Scientific laws govern
human behaviors.
f) Adoration for Science & Technology and no concern for humanities

Value Education
Definition: For the purpose of developing well-balanced personality and flourishing intellect
of the students, education is very essential which helps to build our nation more socially
accountable, intellectually competitive and culturally rich. In current scenario, education
system is more emphasizing on knowledge as well as information based education which
helps to nurture the intellectuality of the student. But different aspects of personality (such as,
physical, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions) are not covered in the present education
system for developing student’s personality. Here, Value education comes under the picture.
Value education is the process of teaching and learning values to develop ethical behavior,
moral reasoning, and character. It is a venture with different dimensions to cultivate
underlying attitudes, to build the efficient value system of the students with the purpose of
society’s long term well-being. Continuous researches are required for giving a strong
platform to Value Education.

The Objectives for ‘Value Education’ are as follows:

• To understand the meaning and concept of ‘Value-Education’
• To develop the personality of the students by focusing on physical, emotional, mental
and spiritual aspects
• To inculcate good behaviour and responsible attitude among the students
• To understand different philosophies of different religions and respect them
• To build the sense of brotherhood at different levels (social, national, international)
• To learn how to take decisions on the basis of ethical and principles
• To think about continuous upgradation of ‘Value-Education’
• To teach students how to respect others in the society.
• To understand the concept of patriotism and national integration
• To learn democratic way of living and thinking
National Policy on Education (1986) has emphasized on the importance for ‘Value Education’
because of the following reasons:
1. Changing lifestyle of people due to advancement of science and technology
2. Wrong usage of science and technology (like mass destruction) which can be used for
the benefits of the society
3. Degradation of traditional value system and lack of ideas regarding this
4. In this fast and competitive world, every moment people face moral situations where
they need to take balanced decisions.
Detailed Aspects:
• Instilling Ethical Principles:
o Core Values: Teaching fundamental values such as honesty, respect,
responsibility, and fairness through educational programs.
o Example: Incorporating values-based lessons into school curricula that
emphasize ethical behavior and decision-making.
• Developing Critical Thinking:
o Moral Reasoning: Encouraging students to analyze and reflect on moral
dilemmas and ethical issues to develop thoughtful and informed decisions.
o Example: Using case studies and discussions to explore ethical scenarios and
foster critical thinking skills.
• Promoting Social Harmony:
o Respect and Inclusion: Fostering respect for diversity and promoting
inclusivity and cooperation among different groups.
o Example: Implementing programs that emphasize empathy, diversity, and
conflict resolution skills.