1. Education for Justice (E4J)
Integrity and Ethics
Module 2: Ethics and Universal Values

2. Universal Values
Introduction

3. Universal Values What is a universal value?
What is a value?
What is it to say that a value is universal?
How do values relate to ethics and morality?
Are there any universal values?

4. Universal Values Value The worth we ascribe to a thing
This item is valuable
Value vs price (economic terms)
A standard of behaviour
You should act in accordance with this value

5. Universal Values Valuing things is based on human needs
Valuing behaviours arises from things we value
But more than one behaviour can attain an end
For example, I value peace as a state of being
Behaviour 1: I will not harm others
Behaviour 2: I will build up my defences so as not to be harmed
Which will achieve what I value better?

6. What does Universal mean?
Universal Values
What does Universal mean?
Universal = all human beings
Universal = all cultures
Universal = all religions
Universal = all legal and political systems

7. Determining Universal Values
Human being relies on psychology
Culture relies on anthropology
Religions relies on theology and philosophy
Legal and political systems relies on political science and legal scholars

8. Universal values as things
Peace
Justice
Equality
Freedom
Beauty
Joy

9. Universal values as behaviours
Do not harm others
Do not cheat others
Do not lie to others
Do not enslave others

10. Universal Values Ethics – the philosophical study of morality
Morality – standards of right and wise conduct determined by reason
Values are synonymous with morality; their justification and particular reasons for accepting them constitute ethics
John Deign, An Introduction to Ethics (Cambridge, 2010)

11. Universal Values What do you value?
What behaviour follows from what you value?
What is the source of your values (i.e., culture, religion, politics)?
Are your values universal? Are they specific only to your culture, religion, nation or group?