21G Mentoring Group: Morals vs Values

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Morals vs Values

Morals vs Values

Morals and values are a part of the behavioral aspect of a person. There is not much difference between morals and values but both are correlated to each other. Morals are formed from the inborn values. Moral is a system of beliefs that is taught for deciding good or bad whereas values are personal beliefs or something that comes from within. These are emotionally related for deciding right or wrong. Morals have more social value and acceptance than values, therefore a person is judged more for his moral character than the values. One is said to be immoral for a person without morals but no such term is there for the person without values.

Another difference between the morals and values is that moral is a motivation or a key for leading a good life in right direction whereas value is imbibed within a person, it can be bad or good depending on the person’s choice. It can also be called as intuition or the call of the heart. Morals do not determine the values but are formed because of the values. Morals contribute to the system of beliefs and are the values which we get from the society.

Morals can be related to ones religion, political system or a business society. Business morals include prompt service, excellence, quality and safety. One practices all the morals while running a business, but the values may not coincide with them. Therefore these morals do not come from within a person but are taught by the social group and has to be followed. On the other hand values are the standards to judge the right or wrong, good or bad, just or unjust. They are the fundamental principles that give guidance to a person to evaluate the merits and demerits of a thing. Values include courage, respect, patriotism, honesty, honor, compassion etc. All these are not mandatory by society but depend on individual’s choice.

Lastly the difference between the morals and values is that morals are like commandments set by the elders and to be followed by the descendants. They can be set by ones elders or religious teachers or leaders of society who want to lead people away from immoral thoughts. One always treasures the morals throughout his life and they never change with time or conditions. While on the other hand values are not set by the society or teachers, but are governed by an individual. Values do not mean that it is always right to do so. Whatever is valuable for one person may not be the same for the other. Hence it is personal aspect and changes according to different situations with time and needs.

Summary:

1.Morals are generally taught by the society to the individual whereas values come from within.
2.Morals act as a motivation for leading a good life while values can be called as an intuition.
3.Morals are related to ones religion, business or politics whereas values are personal fundamental beliefs or principles.
4.Morals are deep seated whereas values keep on changing with time and needs.