LEARNING HOW TO ENHANCE ETHICAL VALUES
We can explain ethical values like
abstract concepts with moral goals that show what is good or bad. They are like
signs that enable us to assess and recognize what is right or wrong. They guide
our behaviour. Up to a point, they might be compared to a traffic sign, because
they aim towards what we should be aware and do in order to achieve good goals
and do things properly.
Ethical values are
connected with a complex group of elements that depicts the
complexity of any human circumstance, like culture, age, education, religion,
economic situation and so on. Also we should distinguish between social and
personal values.
Some of the
most important ethical values are: love, charity, freedom,
justice, dignity, respect, coherence, integrity, honesty, wisdom, courage,
tenderness, equality, temperance, self-control, self-discipline.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY:
1º. Choose one ethical value, it shouldn’t be
repeated. Example: Dignity.
2º. Define that ethical value as well as possible.
Example: Dignity is the ability to develop the best of oneself so
as to help others to develop the best of themselves.
3º. Give reasons that explain why that particular ethical
value you chose is an important ethical value for you. Example,
dignity is important for me because is a value that
move me to develop the best of myself, to overcome problems, in order to have
the chance to help others. That makes me happy and makes happy people around me.
4º. Point out a person whom you
identify with that value and write two or three lines on that person. Example:
Paulo
Freire he was a person who promote
universal education to increase freedom and dignity. He defended human rights
for poor people. He encouraged everybody to recognize the beauty of tenderness
and compassion. He worked a lot in order to stress the importance and
inalienable of every human life, no matter his or her culture, economy or
ideology. He stressed the dignity and importance of human life.
5º. Think of one way to promote the value that you
have chosen. Example: We can promote dignity by meeting people
from different countries and exchanging experiences and ideas with them. It
would help us that we can learn from others and we can offer good things to
other people too.
6º. Write two questions that will make people
reflect on the value that you have chosen. Example: Is it possible
to support your dignity and, at the same time, being a liar, a lazy or an
intolerant person? How can we support dignity in our personal life?
7º. Mention what are the three most important ethical values for you. Example: Tenderness, dignity, freedom.
