May
2015
Artifact 2: Life Values
Objectives:
- Become familiar with basic relationships of human values to psychological and philosophical endeavors
- Understand that values are formed from external and internal drives of an individual
- Explore one’s own value system
Original Post:
In the latter part of the reading, the passage discussing the idea of ranking our values based on our personal experiences drew my attention. I think it is safe to assume that most people tend to believe in certain morals and intrinsic values based on their personal experiences and feelings about the source of their beliefs. For instance, I take to heart and follow the beliefs and values of my parents, as they are the number one figures in my life that taught me the first lessons in life. As mentioned in the reading, we are also “drawing upon [our] own accumulated sense experience” (16). Although our parents were probably one of the first elderly figures to show us what their beliefs are, we are also influenced by outside sources daily. Our teachers, friends, and colleagues are few of the most influential people in our lives who constantly have us wondering about our initial beliefs and values either through justification of their own experiences and beliefs. When we grow up and become our own individuals, is it possible that we have completely different views on the world around us or do we innately act in some ways more than others based on our upbringing? This also surprised me while reading that our outside influences may also have an affect on our beliefs and values by simply ” ‘selling’ a particular approach to personal values” (16). Some individuals seek out spiritual meaning and support to better certain views on their beliefs. I feel in this sense we are losing a part of our true selfs based on the experiences of others. What if what they were telling us was completely made up to twist our views on our old beliefs when in fact what we had first believed in were to be true?
I also agreed with the analogy of individuals taking a poll about people’s ideas and beliefs on their personal values. It is unfortunate that nowadays and perhaps even back then people would not tell the truth in its entirety. People never really tell the whole truth, which brings me to question why an individual holds this kind of moral? Perhaps due to an old personal experience where they deemed appropriate that less the people know the better? Although through personal experience the whole truth always comes out regardless how much you attempt to cover it up. From that I have created a new personal value of my own to always completely 100% tell the truth even though it may be rude or inappropriate.
Reflection:
It was a little hard for me to truly explain the stemming of my beliefs and values when linking it to the article we had to read. I feel I have a hard time expressing my true meaning behind my values with the incorporation of the article as I felt it was limiting the way I could respond and allow my peers to fully understand why I am the way I am.
I truly believe in parental guidance as our bases for majority of our values, and to this day I still follow the values and beliefs my parents instilled in me. I understand that some people may have different upbringings or have been educated and realized an outlet and contradiction of what they now believe and what their parents had originally taught them. Yes I have learned from my educational system, which I am very thankful for my parents allowing me and paying for superb education, that some of the things my parents have taught me are not fully correct.Pictured above is the love of my life, my family. Without them, I would not be the person I am today. After completing this assignment, I have come to realize how influential my family has been molding me into the person I am today. I guess you could say I am caught between what my parents have instilled in me and what my education has taught me although fully believing in both ways. Throughout my college career I have come to the realization that everyone has their own beliefs and if it works for them, it works for them. There really is no wrong or right way as there are endless reasons to backup people’s standpoints.
What makes me the person I am today is mostly due to my intrinsic drive and motivation. I am the kind of gal to pursue my own personal goals not because other people tell me to or want me to but purely for self satisfaction. My parents have always taught me to work hard and pursue my goals as an optimal pathway for success. I am partially immune to external drives influencing my decisions in life. Although here I may contradict myself as if I were to be offered a promising job from working hard, I would most likely be inclined to be able to achieve that. However, it is mostly due to my intrinsic values and beliefs stemming form both my parents and experience that will motivate me to work hard. I have come to conclude that my family means everything to me and what they say has the most impact on my decisions.
Completing the assignment of ranking what aspects of life mean the most to us. Health and security where my top two which mostly I believe in this due to my parental education. My parents have always forced the idea of having health is the most important aspect of life. Without health, nothing really matters. You could be the most successful person but if you are sickly, what value does money even hold anymore? I also felt that security was an important trait to hold. If you do not feel secure about monetary needs, physically, or intrinsically with yourself, you spend your life worrying and stressing unnecessarily. This may be more of an extrinsic drive for me as I pummel through my school work to ensure I will be secure financially so I can give me future family a good life. This is also an intrinsic drive as my goal is to be successful enough to enjoy life and not worrying about paying the bills every month.
Future Goals:
I believe in the future I will still uphold these values and beliefs to drive my motivation to be a successful happy individual. My parents will continue to play a major role in my life. I hope to widen my horizons with life lessons of my own experience or the people I choose to surround myself with or random encounters. I hope to one day instill the values I carry with my future family and friends I meet along the way.
Bibliography:
Table of Contents:
Artifact 5: Personal Adornment
Artifact 6: Creative Spirituality