por The hierarchy of values it is a range of superior and inferior values in which the moral and ideological order of life is established. For example, a person may value family more and money or leisure less.
The importance of the hierarchy of values resides in the fact that in life it is important to have priorities and give value to what is considered to help happiness and well-being, both for oneself and for those close to us.
The order of these values is highly debated and difficult to determine, since the process is subjective to reach a conclusion because it will depend on personal, group, educational, cultural, and social perspectives.
A large number of values can be ordered in a hierarchy to demonstrate their importance with respect to others, where spiritual, intellectual, artistic, moral values, among others, are involved.
Hierarchy of values concept
To have greater clarity of the concept of hierarchy of values, it is prudent to define what a hierarchy is and what is value, by its nature, characteristics, importance and influence on human life.
The hierarchy is an organized structure in which scales of importance or systems of greater or lesser relevance are established within the same environment.
Value is something that has in itself a degree of category, that influences the human being who gives it meaning and that can be used to decide or justify. The value is closely related to the principles and feelings attitudes that an individual has when acting.
The hierarchy of values requires that human beings have a very clear and filtered system of their values, since personal and social direction is owed to them. But it does not mean that the values are immutable and that they cannot change.
Values can change, for example in the early stages of life the value that could be most important in a person could change later; It can also change according to the social, work, cultural and religious environment.
Values have a personal character, each one gives the degree of importance they want to this or that value according to their social point of view in the value system.
Elements of the hierarchy of values
The hierarchy of values will depend on three very important elements:
-The person, who is the one who determines which are the most important values according to their needs, interests, aspirations, training, their personal and social conditions.
-A second element is the qualities of value, which has to do with personal preference.
-The third element that influences is the situation in which the person lives, since it is decisive in the position and preference of his hierarchy of values.
The following characteristics can be highlighted through these three elements mentioned above:
-Values have two poles, the positive and the negative, like good and evil.
-They have a range within the world of values that goes from the lousy to the excellent.
-There is a social, moral and ethical hierarchy.
-Values are in themselves a quality and do not determine a quantity, that is, they are not quantifiable.
-They are also flexible in that they can change over time according to the experiences and needs of individuals
-Their durability varies, being some more permanent than others.
Value types
There is a great variety of values, including 12 main ones that are classified as: personal, family, universal, material, economic, human, ethical, pragmatic, aesthetic, sociocultural, moral and spiritual. Here are some of the most important:
Universal values
They comprise the norms of relationship and society established and imposed by the community at specific times and according to particular needs.
religious values
They are those that are established by each aspect, doctrine or religious denomination; they can be pagan beliefs or integrated and recognized worldwide.
Moral values
They are what derive from their relationship with society and are useful when making decisions since they are subject to ethics.
Biological values
They are known as those that emerge from the basic needs of man, such as food, health, housing, personal care, among others.
economic values
It refers to the value of the physical and wealth; They are the ones that satisfy the material, commercial, goods, and objects needs, among others.
psychological values
They are those that are observed through human behavior.
aesthetic values
They are those that focus on beauty as the main object, seeking balance, functionality and visual impact.
Value hierarchy example
A person could have a hierarchy of values based on the following qualification.
-Honesty.
-Justice.
-Tolerance.
-Modesty.
-Generosity.
-Responsibility.
-Wisdom.
-Patience.
-Beauty.
-Success.
It would be a person who gives more importance to values such as honesty and justice, and less importance to values such as beauty or success.
Importance of the hierarchy of values
The importance of the hierarchy of values are convictions that determine, guide and guide the behavior of a person, their aspirations, interests and their behavior in society.
Values are the foundations of social life, which allow people to coexist. Its hierarchy helps establish priorities.
The most important values are those that are part of identity, they tell us how to express ourselves and live. The clearer the values and their hierarchy are, the orientation and the very meaning of life are determined according to purpose and perspectives.
Teaching the importance of prioritizing values at school, at home and in social groups from an early age can contribute to having a better vision of the composition and functionality of values in humanity.
Commercial distractions, products, new communication standards and interpersonal relationships have relegated the inculcation of values at all levels, both family and social, academic and work.
The order of degree of values has shifted in many cases in line with the changes that modernity is undergoing.
Globalization may be one of the main reasons that cultural values in society are disappearing and creating new ‘values’.
Themes of interest
Value types.
Human values.
Anti-values.
Universal values.
Sociocultural values.
Moral values.
aesthetic values.
Material values.
intellectual values.
Instrumental values.
Political values.
Priority values.
transcendental values.
Objective values.
Vital values.
Ethical values.
Priority values.
religious values.
Civic values.
Social values.
References
Jose Alvarez. Values, Model and Integral Education. Recovered from: digibug.ugr.es
Tong-Keun Min. A Study on the Hierarchy of Values. Source: bu.edu
The hierarchy of values. (2008). Source: abc.com.py
Jose Esteve Vilaverde. The hierarchy of values. Source: jubiceca.wikispaces.com
Sergio Estrada Velez. Philosophical hierarchy of values. Source: rtfd.es
Joel Runyon. The Value Hierarchy. (2013). Source: impossiblehq.com