2. - Man is not only an animal; he is a person. No other corporeal
substance is a person. Only man is. Man is a person because he has
the gift of insight (intellect) and volition (will).
- The self is the first and most fundamental of values.
- Actions, for example, are values because they are the result
of intellect and will , motivated towards something
desirable.
12. 3. Rational Values. Those are necessary to the functions
and fulfillment of intellect and will:
Understanding and Control of Nature
Guide and Control of Oneself
Solidarity with fellowmen
Religion
14. Von Rintelen
in his article “A Realistic Analysis of Value” defines moral
value as
“’A qualitatively determined value-in-itself which has a
normative character and presupposes the liberty of possible
decision to effectuate real value in concrete acts of varying
degree.”
15. CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL VALUES
1. Moral Values are goods having intrinsic qualities of desirability.
2. Moral Values are universal, that is, they appeal to man as man
and to man as a specific individual.
3. Moral Values are Obligatory. They come as a natural duty, because
possession of them is expected as an integral quality to man as
rational creature directed by natural powers towards truth , beauty
and goodness.
16. Others values include what we functionally call religious
, cultural, and social values:
1. Religious Values are those which pertain to
man’s relationship with the deity, guiding his
communion with Him.
2. Cultural Values are those man shares with
others in a given community of persons, shaping
their spiritual kinship, and directing their
attention to definite ideals of behavior.
3. Social Values are those that are necessary for the
promotion of human society as a whole, integrating the
motivation and interest of members towards the
common objective of goal.
17. The Hierarchy of Values
• Refers to the order of values from the lowest to
the highest in importance.
Values do not have the same degree of
desirability.
• Neither is it possible to incorporate all
values at the same time in our lives.
18. The Aristotrlian ranking of values appear justified
The goods pertaining to the soul, that is, to the intellect and
will, occupies the highest level of importance.
The biological values occupy the lowest rank.
That we should aim for the most essential values is common
sense enough.
Our choices should direct us to genuine growth character.
19. Choosing our values
1. Every man has to choose his values. He is wise indeed
who chooses values according to their intrinsic worth.
2. Values favored by a greater number of people must be preferred over
those that appeal only to a few, e.g., discipline over personal freedom.
3. Values that are essential must be preferred over those that are
accidental ,e.g., health over beauty.
4. Values that greater satisfaction must be preferred over those
that provide short-lived pleasure ,e.g., pursuing your artistic hobby
over fanatical devotion to a movie star.
22. Ethical Theories
1.Plato,
- believed that man is free. Thus, man
deserves to be punished for the “sins” he
freely commits .
2. Aristotle.
- Man has threefold nature: vegetal, animal, and rational .Man
must realize his nature by cultivating all his natural tendencies
.The highest good correspond to the tendency of the soul.
3. St.. Thomas Aquinas.
- The Highest Good, or, Summum Bonum consists in
“beatific version of God. No earthly good can fully satisfy
human desires Man, because of his rational appetites of
intellect and free well, can only be completely happy in God
Himself.
23. 1. Islamism
- is a philosophy of life, a complete system of living, based on
the Word of God revealed to Mohammed. Islam teaches that
the Greatest Value is one‟s surrender to God.
This consists in the fulfillment of the Five Pillars:
(1) Confession of Creed : “There is no God but Allah ,and
Mohammed is his prophet “.
(2) Prayer brings man in the right relationship with God.
(3) Charity.
(4) Observance of the Ramadan.
(5) Pilgrimage to Mecca.
24. 2. Buddhism.
- The Greatest Value according to Buddha is the liberation of man
from suffering though the abandonment of all egoistic desires.
The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism are:
(1) Life is the root of all sufferings;
(2) suffering are caused by desires;
(3) Desires can be eliminated by negating life;
(4) Elimination of desires can be achieved by
accumulating karma or deeds that eventually free the
individual.
25. 3.Utiltarianism.
- The Greatest Value ,according to Jeremy
Bentham, one of its proponents , is pleasure. But
man, being a sociable animal, must conduct his
affairs in a ways that would benefit others.
John Stuart
- defines the greatest good: “By
happiness is intended pleasure
and the absence of pain; by
unhappiness, pain and the
privation of pleasure”.
26. 4. Communism.
- is based on the teachings
of Karl Marx. The Greatest
Good is absolute equality.
The mission of communism
is the production of
material wealth by means
of collective labor, so that
the goods of this world
might be enjoyed in a
paradise where each would
give according to his
Karl Marx. needs.
27. 5. Christianism.
- Christianity is based on the
teachings and life of Jesus Christ.
Christ taught that the Greatest
Value is Love . God is Love. ”And
behold, a certain man came to
Him and said, „Good Master, what
good work shall I do to have
eternal life ? One there is who is
good, and he is God.”
(Mattehew,19:16-17).
- Christian morality is essentially
based on love which embraces
even the enemy..