The 7 most important human values: what they are and how to develop them

It may seem normal to us today, but considering that all human beings have a series of inviolable rights is something relatively new. Until not so long ago, slavery was still allowed and enjoyed good social acceptance, and racist theories are used as an excuse to discriminate flagrantly and in full view of all.

The entry on the scene of human values It has been one of the factors that has precipitated change in recent decades. The popularization of this notion, which goes hand in hand with human rights, has helped us create a framework reference point from which to judge whether people are treated with dignity and whether their integrity is at risk or No. Let's see which are the main ones and how the fact of having them present and keeping them present in our day to day affects us.

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What are values?

To understand what human values ​​are, one must first understand what values ​​are in the context of philosophy and ethics. These are the

set of ideas that guide our way of thinking and setting goals in relation to the impact that we must have on society and on the environment in general (and, by extension, on ourselves, since we are in that environment). So, it is a set of beliefs that tell us about how things should be. They serve as a reference to know what is right and what is wrong, and for this reason they are of great importance as a common element by which a society decides which are the principles that govern it.

Human values, specifically, are those that are a fundamental and necessary part of the existence of societies in which as many people as possible feel comfortable and can live well. They are the guidelines that serve as a guide to behave in a way that benefits the maximum number of human beings.

Since they are very important, many of them appear in many cultures, although in different forms and being applied to different groups.

For this reason, human values ​​go hand in hand with human rights, since they establish a framework of minimum requirements necessary to create social fabric. in which no one is excluded a priori and in which the only thing that defines how we are treated is how we act: whether against others or in favor of their welfare.

• You may be interested in: "The 6 differences between ethics and morals"

The main human values

Although there is no objective and rigid way to categorize the different human values, it is generally understood that the most important are the following. In the following list you can better understand what each of them refers to.

1. Modesty

Humility is not just a matter of maintaining a pleasing public image to others, away from arrogance. It is also a value helps us promote the appearance of changes for the better both in our lives and in the lives of others.

In the first place, it helps us because its presence prevents us from resting on our laurels, that is, that we assume the fragility of our successes and how a context switch can make that progress disappear. In other words, it helps us to be farsighted and at the same time to reinforce the projects that we undertake, making failures and setbacks not cost us so dearly.

On the other, this is one of the human values ​​that favor others by providing them with motivation. Remaining humble means being human at all times, so that others can identify with you. us more easily and will be less likely to feel intimidated in embarking on a path similar.

2. Responsibility

Responsibility makes us assume the consequences of our actions, and among these consequences we contemplate the impact that what we do can have on the lives of others. In other words, it helps us not to do things that have a high cost for the rest, which obviously it benefits those around us but also us, since it makes it easier for us to create links social.

3. Honesty

Honesty leads us to create ties of empathy with the rest and, at the same time, to share with others relevant information that we have obtained from our experiences. In this way, information flows through personal relationships, and this serves as a glue for social cohesion, essential to create environments in which cooperation helps us to leave no one behind.

4. I respect

Respect leads us to create a climate of communication in which no one feels attacked. This seems like a minor detail, but it is actually relevant, especially in relationships where there is not much closeness. Faced with uncertainty, it is very easy to become defensive and create conflict out of the blue, which is especially risky in societies where there are no mechanisms to prevent the appearance of violence.

5. Gratitude

This is a human value that leads us to want to somehow compensate forms of altruism, so that the latter is promoted. Much of what makes us progress is based on favors performed spontaneously, for the simple recognition of the appreciation we feel for another person.

6. Prudence

Prudence leads us not to rush and to consider the pros and cons of an action with significant consequences, which is important if we take into account that acting without anticipating what may happen can negatively affect several people and destabilize environments.

7. Sensitivity

It is what leads us to connect with others taking into account their fears, their needs and their beliefs. It is a value of damage control, which prevents us from accidentally harming others, from the adoption of their point of view.

Bibliographic references:

• Gelfand, Michele J. (2018). Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World. Simon & Schuster.
• Tetlock, Philip E. (2007). Thinking the unthinkable: sacred values ​​and taboo cognitions. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. 7 (7): p. 320 - 24.