Summary
Highlights
Values are defined as individual beliefs that motivate people to act in certain ways and serve as a guide for human behavior. They are often adopted from one's upbringing and cultural background, and people tend to believe their own values are 'right'.
Ethical decision-making involves weighing different values. Conflicts arise when individuals hold different values, leading to clashes in preferences and priorities.
Values can be categorized into those with intrinsic worth (e.g., love, truth, freedom), instrumental values (e.g., ambition, courage, responsibility) which are means to an end, and sacred values.
Sacred values are moral imperatives for those who believe in them and are seldom compromised, as they are seen as duties rather than factors to be weighed in decisions. An example given is a national flag, which can be a sacred value for some but just a piece of cloth for others.
Values vary significantly among individuals, across cultures, and over time. Despite this variability, values are universally recognized as a driving force in ethical decision-making.