In Africa today, one can notice how we regard respect and good character. We
cherish people with good behavior and good character, because we believe they
were trained very well by their parents. Good values are a very important character
to possess. It can take you far in life and people usually reward based on good
character. Values is what defines someone. It communicates your true self. So,
what is values?
In ethics or social sciences, value indicates the level of importance of something or
action, with the purpose of determining which actions are best to do or what way is
best to live, or to describe the significance of different actions. They are basic and
fundamental beliefs that directs or motivate attitudes or actions. They help us
determine what is important to us.
We have different type of values:
Positive values
This kind of values has everything to do with those
qualities that are good for oneself and the society at large. Positive values
can be classified into the following:
Honesty
- Kindness
- Tolerance
- Diligence
- Discipline
- Forgiveness
- Patience
- Prudence
- Justice
- Humility, etc.
Negative values
Someone that has a negative value will end up damaging
his/her life. Negative values are bad to possess, and they bring nothing but
destruction to one’s life. Negative values are usually gotten due to
experiences in life. For example, there could be gotten from drug abuse,
because of the relief it gives, or from home, due to brand parenting.
Examples of negative values includes:
Pride
- Envy
- Lust
- Lies
- Hatred
- Discrimination
- Covetousness
- Malice, etc.
Intrinsic value
Intrinsic values are values that belong to someone naturally.
In ethics, intrinsic value is a property or anything that is valuable on its own.
These values include truth, beauty, courage etc.
Education also has intrinsic values such as hard work, frequent reading,
diligence, and dedication. This is because we need these values to succeed
academically.
Values are important in our daily life. Without them, we cannot succeed the
way we want to. We must live the right way, for the sake of our family, and our
future.
Chimnecherem Eboh
Writer: KOA Education Foundation.
