Q) “Discuss how human values are different from ethical values. what role do the educational institutions play in developing ethical behaviour in children?”
Answer :
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that “involves systematizing, defending and recommending concepts of right and wrong behaviour. Values tend to influence attitudes and behaviour. Values reflect a person’s sense of right and wrong. Values are the guiding principles of our lives. They are essential for positive human behaviour and actions in our daily lives. They are formed on the basis of interests, choices, needs, desires and preferences.
Note: students can use below information to distinguish human values and ethical values
Human values Basic human values refer to those values which are at the core of being human. The values which are considered basic inherent values in humans include truth, honesty, loyalty, love, peace, etc. because they bring out the fundamental goodness of human beings and society at large. Human values are integral part of one’s personality and affects employability quotient.
Importance of Human Values
∙ Provides understanding of the attitudes, motivation and behaviours
∙ Influences our perception of the world around us
∙ Represents interpretation of “right and wrong”
∙ Provides a way to understand humans and organisation.
The five human values which are expected in all human beings, irrespective of whether they are employees or not in whichever profession or service, are:
∙ Right Conduct – Contains values like self-help skills (modesty, self-reliance, hygiene etc.), social skills (good behavior, good manners, environment awareness etc.), ethical skills (courage, efficiency, initiative, punctuality etc.) and Ownership.
∙ Peace – Contains values like equality, focus, humility, optimism, patience, self-confidence, selfcontrol, self-esteem etc.
∙ Truth – Contains values like accuracy, fairness, honesty, justice, quest for knowledge, determination etc.
∙ Peaceful co-existence – Contains values like psychological (benevolence, compassion, consideration, morality, forgiveness etc.) and social (brotherhood, equality, perseverance, respect for others, environmental awareness etc.)
∙ Discipline – Contains values like regulation, direction, order etc. Ethical values
∙ Ethical values by definition are positive and they often require that we stretch outside of our own interests to respect, protect, serve and help others.
∙ Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship — are six core ethical values.
∙ Ethical decision-making often involves weighing values against each other and choosing which values to elevate.
Role of educational institutions in developing ethical behaviour in children
In school, children are affiliates of a small society that exerts a great influence on their moral development. Teachers serve as role model to students in school. They play a major role in inculcating their ethical behaviour.
∙ As children are accountable for their own actions the learn to respect and treat others kindly.
∙ The teachers are the first role model to the children outside their family. When the children see the model showing concern for others, motivating them for their good deeds and cooperating and helpful with their academic issues, the children learn them by observing and imitate it with fellow peers.
∙ The children are taught basic morals and values in school.
∙ The teacher should appreciate the children for developing pro-social behaviour, especially for any specific action they have done to help others. It is appraised that human values enhance person’s life.
∙ Values are those standards or code for conduct conditioned by one’s cultural doctrines and guided by conscience, according to which human being is supposed to conduct himself and shape his life patterns by integrating his beliefs, ideas and attitudes to realize cherished ideas and aims of life.