Lesson 9: Universal Values

• Identify universal values

• Explain why universal values are a necessity for human survival

INTRODUCTION

After a lesson on cultural relativism and after a discussion on the Filipino strengths and weaknesses, let us find out if there are universal values

ACTIVITY

Read then answer the questions.

Be honest, even if others are not.

Be honest

Even if others will not

Even if others cannot

He who walks honestly, walks securely. - Abhishek Tiwari

ANALYSIS

1. Is honesty or truth telling considered a universal value? Why or why not?

2. What are possible consequences of dishonesty?

Despite the claims of cultural relativism, the concept on the reality of universal values persists. Are there universal values? Is honesty a universal value? Plato talked about the values or virtues of temperance, courage, and wisdom. Jesus Christ preached the value of love from which springs patience. kindness, goodwill, forgiveness, and compassion. Confucius taught righteousness, human-heartedness, filial piety. Are not these universal values. that is, they remain values at all times and in all places? Yes, Plato would say, they exist apart form the concrete world. On the other hand Aristotle would say that they exist embodied in the concrete individual as common or essential characteristic. St. Thomas agreed with them, but the universals do not exist apart from the individual; they exist as universal features individuated, instantiated in the individuals. In other words, the universals are abstracted common features from individuals. For example, the universal characteristics of man are that he is a "rational, sentient. living, body" are abstracted as characteristics common to all persons. A human person differs from a stone because he/she is alive. He/she differs from living things like plants because he/she is sentient, and differs from sentient things like animals because he/she is rational. This universal character of a human person exists in the mind as idea. Universals are immaterial and immutable, beyond (transcendent) space and time, or spatio-temporal conditions. In the words of Van Peursen, they are termed as "logical structures" underlying the material world and making the world possible.

The same thing is true with moral standards and values. The values of honesty and respect for human life are characteristics individuated in all people who respect, do not harm, injure or kill, human beings. All the standards and values implied in the Ten Commandments can be reduced to the value or rule of love. This is because no one can wish or will the opposite, hatred, killing, stealing, to be universal. Values are universalized because they can only be wished to be the values of all. For instance, one cannot wish that killing be obligatory because it is like wishing anyone to come and kill you.

Using Kant's criteria, can these identified "universal values" be willed as universal. Can one will these values be the values of all? Certainly, the answer is in the affirmative.

Related to the empirical findings on the universal values, Dr. Kent M. Keith (2003) came up with a list of fundamental, or universal moral principles that can be found throughout the world. These are grouped into negative and positive statements as follows:

DO NO HARM. Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not cheat. Do not falsely accuse others. Do not commit adultery. Do not commit incest. Do not physically or verbally abuse others. Do not murder. Do not destroy the natural environment upon which all life depends.

DO GOOD. Do to others what you would like them to do to you. Be honest and fair. Be generous. Be faithful to your family and friends. Take care of your children when they are young. Take care of your parents when they are old. Take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Be kind to strangers. Respect all life. Protect the natural environment upon which all life depends.

1. Heads of State and Government, senior UN officials and representatives of civil society gathered in September 2015, as part of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly and have adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These objectives fom a program or sustainable, universal and ambitious development, a program of the people, by the people and for the people, conceived with the active participation of UNESCO. (https://en.unesco.org/sdgs)

Here are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the period 2015-2030. Study and analyze them.

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere 2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-

long learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and

sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energyy

for all

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full

and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable

industrialization and foster innovation

8.

10. Reduce inequality within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and

sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (in line

with the United Nations Frameworks Convention on Climate Change)

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources

for sustainable development

What if there were no universal values?