This article discusses the importance of our values, where they come from, and how we define them. One topic that the author covers is how we construct a “framework” for our values. Whether we are born with certain instincts or they develop as we grow has been a topic of debate to this day. It cannot be proven or denied and may very well never have an answer. Even though there is no definite answer, the author writes, “…there is a good deal of evidence that human beings are not primarily driven by genetically determined instincts but are rather free to make their own choices” (Personal Values 7). I completely agree with this statement. We are fortunate enough to live in a country where we have the freedom to make our own decisions. In most cases, our parents lay out basic values that they hope we adopt and as we grow and experience new things, we alter our values to be specific to how we, as individuals, want to run our lives. The author also posses the question, how do we really know anything? I suppose the answer is “through observation,” however, it is an incredibly interesting question. Our values may derive from things we think we know, when in reality, they are not factual. Many religious people live their lives knowing that Jesus is their savior and was resurrected. If indeed these beliefs are not true, did these people live lies? Religion as a whole is a controversial and complex topic. There may not be a right or wrong answer but these beliefs do shape our value framework and impact the way in which we live our lives. I believe that the author’s main point is to say that we have values but often do not evaluate how we arrive at them. We accept many things at face-value when in reality, they need a great deal of examination.
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I like the questions you posed in this segment and I definitely asked similar ones myself while I was reading the article. Being scientifically minded though, I think there must be some genetic component to the way that people act and want to act – but perhaps that is from upbringing as well. I do think that if a bunch of genetically different people were all put into the same environment with no rules or parental guiding, that we would still see a divide in personality and values due to their genetic predispositions towards certain lifestyles.
I completely agree with your point about how difficult it is to evaluate how people have the values that they do. There’s no way to “see” peoples values, or deduce where they came from (except from maybe parental input), I think its important that people know they value things — whether or not it can be explained.
I agree with your point in that the things we believe are not factual. I myself believe that also, Because our parents lay things out for or such things like religion lay things out doesn’t mean they are actually real and true. Our beliefs do shape our framework a bunch. A lot what the author is saying is that we really don’t face-value but we truly don’t. In your response you say that “The author also posses the question, how do we really know anything? I suppose the answer is “through observation,” however, it is an incredibly interesting question.” I do believe that as well a lot of being human we observe everything and don’t get down to further details or do not experience things for our selves, and that’s where I feel we are lost when it comes to our beliefs. If we would understand the reason behind our values and beliefs it would be more apparent.
I agree! I do think that there are some characteristics that we are more likely to poses just because of genetics and parental characteristics. It would be a pretty interesting experiment to see if people with no rules or preconceived values would act the same in a given situation. If it was possible, this would probably teach us a great deal about values that we are born with and ones that we are simply brought up with. Whether or not we are able to deduce where our values come from, they are important to understand and look deeper at. Our values decide the partner we will choose, the way our children were raised, and the way we conduct our own lives.
I was raised Jewish, but attended a Catholic school so I have always found it interesting to look at how religion has impacted our values. I think that religion can impact people’s values for the better. But I have always considered- what about non-religious people? Do they miss out on certain values because of the way they were brought up?