Spiritual values ​​- definition, types, role in human life and society

Time

Most people use only the material value of time, caring about entertainment, gaining social status and accumulating money.

But time also has spiritual value - man, unlike animals and plants, has the ability to self-awareness, and reason and self-awareness lead to self-knowledge and save a person from material suffering.

It is important to accept the fact that time is running out, and it should not be wasted, but rather engaged in spiritual practice. People before death think only one thing: “I was wasting my time wrong,” this happens because we think about material things, are attached to material things, and it hurts us when we are deprived of everything.

But a person engaged in spiritual practice is not attached to material things, learning his spiritual nature (eternity, bliss, knowledge) understands more and more what the spiritual value of time is.

Implications for modern society

Over time, Scheler began to gradually move away from the Catholic connection, which was considered one of the defining components of the morality of society of those years, focusing on the fact that any crisis in spiritual human development is caused by the rejection of the foundations that have been formed over centuries in favor of something new, requiring the construction of moral ideals from scratch . It is noteworthy that to justify this theory, the philosopher cited the achievements of the Renaissance, which gradually lost their relevance, and were formed over several hundred years.

The crisis and ways out of it

The emphasis was on the gradual development of consumerism, which was crowding out everything moral and spiritual, which, in principle, is largely relevant for modern society. Initially, it was about rapid industrialization as one of the tools for personal enrichment and achieving maximum comfort in everyday life, while today scientific and technological progress has also been added to this industry with its impressive pace of development, pursuing the same goals.

Moreover, any attempt to forcefully limit consumerism would have a very negative impact on the development of the state economy, which is also unacceptable. That is why many scientists agree on one opinion: the only way that can distract humanity from the eternal pursuit of material wealth is to instill in society some new value , despite the fact that it has yet to be formed.

Knowledge

The knowledge we receive helps us discover the true meaning of life, allows the mind to be in harmony with logic, faith and feelings. It is also given to us to know the fundamentals of nature.

A person not only learns about the world, but also tries to understand the meaning of his existence. Knowledge is an important component of consciousness; human development cannot be imagined without it.

A person striving for truth will always try to accumulate as much knowledge as possible. Probably everyone has heard the phrase “Knowledge is power”, this is true, but not everyone thinks about how to gain this power.

Useful knowledge is information that has passed through time. This is a kind of instruction that we apply to our lives.

Development

As you know, nature is changeable, and all living things are always in motion. Everything changes: our views, tastes, interests, the old is new, etc.

Development is evolution, movement. Changes happen naturally, and no matter how hard someone tries to stay in place, no one can do it.

Development is also a spiritual value; many take development for some kind of life changes, material growth, but spiritual development is the evolution of personal qualities, the improvement of one’s inner world.

The main goal of development is to realize one’s nature, to discover oneself. You can never lose the fruits of spiritual work, which cannot be said about the material things you have accumulated.

Types of spiritual needs

Delusions of grandeur - what does it mean in people?

The main needs in the spiritual sphere are conventionally divided into 2 parts: one is related to the accumulation of spiritual potential, the second is its manifestation in society.

The first group consists of:

1. communication and observation of real and fictional characters from books, plays, movies;
2. aesthetic satisfaction from beautiful landscapes, artwork, musical compositions;
3. scientific and educational activities that expand the boundaries of worldview;
4. maintaining health as a foundation for new beginnings.

The second group includes social needs:

1. Labor activity that contributes to the materialization of spiritual needs.
2. Moral guidelines used to compare one's own views on a situation with generally accepted ideals;
3. The patriotic component of actions, orienting the individual towards defense and love for the fatherland.

The sequence of implementation of the requests of both groups cannot be called linear. More often it is associated with material needs and the inner world of the subject.

Need for cognition

A person who feels the need to learn new things strives to diversify everyday life, broadens his horizons through courses, master classes, and literary works. A natural interest in external factors encourages people to take active steps to improve their knowledge and abilities. If the need is not satisfied, the person withdraws and may have a negative attitude towards change.

Self improvement

Self-improvement is the ability to independently develop the mind, take care of personal growth, and cultivate positive personality traits. The process of self-development is intellectual and presupposes a person’s awareness of his own place in the world, motives, and results of activities. At the same time, the process is volitional and depends on the specific situation and lifestyle of the individual.

Self-development strategy

At the stage of self-improvement, it is important to draw analogies with yesterday’s existence. Awareness of personal development has a positive effect on new areas of life. Dreams become bolder, plans become more far-reaching, and hope for the future appears. For ideal self-improvement, you need to clearly define your goals.

Important! Uncertainty and fear have a destructive effect on the outcome of events. You shouldn’t look at others, people are free to choose their actions and desires.

Favourite buisness

A favorite activity charges you with energy for self-realization, gives meaning to reality, inspires you to great deeds, and helps you express your individuality. On the way to the goal, individuals use their own talent, mental and physical abilities. A person who devotes most of his time to creativity or business will not voluntarily give up what he loves.

Love and happiness

Love is kindness that gives people positive emotions, and the need to make everyone around happy, enjoying other people's happiness as the personification of one's own feelings. The need to radiate love is stronger than material needs, social status and business success. Every person wants to feel needed and in demand by the people around them. Loneliness brings melancholy and boredom, creating, first of all, a feeling of inner emptiness.

Liberty

Freedom is a very multi-valued concept, but it can be characterized. A person can always feel when he is free and when he is not. If he acts based on his principles, desires and is responsible for the result of his actions, he is free.

That is, he is responsible for his actions and decides for himself what to do. This means free will and no coercion from outside.

beauty

Beauty is the most mysterious spiritual value; each person understands it in his own way. If you do a survey among people, the results will be different.

For some, beauty is a bird that pecks seeds from a person’s hand, for others it is a luxurious English garden... Therefore, we can say that beauty is what surrounds us. It exists in relationships between people, in us, in others, in nature.

It is beauty that inspires to create - it encourages musicians and writers to create real masterpieces that do not lose their uniqueness through the centuries... This is a very subtle substance, and only a sensitive person can understand it.

Art

Art is the spiritual self-realization of a person through sensory and expressive aspects - drawing, sound, writing, light, etc.

Art helps every person to feel the beautiful, makes him spiritually richer, gives energy and brings meaning to life. If there were no art, then we would live only by those things that surround us (ordinary), and there would be no opportunity to grow and progress.

A person who is associated with art is filled with energy and is capable of creating the surrounding reality. Most often, the creator begins to look for his own meaning, which has not previously been found among people.

Role in an individual's life

Spiritual development correlates with psychophysiological processes and characteristics of the individual’s relationship with the outside world. The accumulation of subjective experience is associated with experiences, emotions, the individual’s immersion in himself, analysis of events occurring around him, his behavior, and the emotional reactions of other people. Spiritual needs are based on generally accepted moral standards and universal human values.

Spirituality correlates with such concepts as truth, mercy, kindness, empathy, beauty in all its manifestations. Spiritual improvement of the individual leads to a sense of self-worth, which in turn correlates with a sense of self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and high social status. Personal spirituality is the driving force for moral activity.

A person with spirituality exhibits a high level of volitional qualities. He is able to direct physical and mental activity, vital energy into the channel of creation and self-improvement. A soulless person is often weak-willed, spineless, unable to set life goals and achieve them. In the context of the above, spirituality is identified with success in all areas of life.

It is impossible to do without spiritual needs, because they form the basis of existence, they can be chosen, expanded, regulated, expressing one’s individuality, participating in the processes of creative creation as part of the development of one’s personality and society.

Creation

Creativity is characteristic of every person, but not everyone discovers it in themselves. This is the creation of something new, something that has not been seen before.

It is usually believed that creativity is creating a work of art, writing classical music, but a little girl, for example, who wrote a couple of lines in her notebook about a bear cub walking in a meadow - this is already creativity, she is a creator and has created something new.

Creativity is the ability to create something new; it always elevates the soul and ennobles the personality.

True

People have a sparkle in their eyes when it comes to seeking the truth, the truth. This is a person’s natural desire to understand the world in which he lives, as well as himself. Truth is a spiritual value, it gives a person a lot - with its help we can analyze what is happening, our actions, we consider certain actions that we perform for morality and correctness. For everyone, truth has its own understanding - for one, something that for another has no significance will be sacred. Truth is what has been tested by time and experience.

Highest human values

Below is a list of values ​​and their descriptions. We are not always aware of what value guides us through life. Therefore, descriptions of values ​​and their short definition are given. All this will make it easier to understand your values.

In the following articles, you, dear reader, will be able to read about the motives. They provide an even better understanding of how values ​​work and, as it were, bring sharpness to the goal. This article also talks a little about motives. Motives are the driving force that we can be aware of even without knowing anything about values. Also given are some qualities that are directly related to values.

What are the personal values ​​in a person’s life: a list of examples

• Activity.
• Serenity.
• Impartiality.
• Gratitude.
• Inspiration.
• Cheerfulness.
• Flexibility.
• Spirituality.
• Entertainment.
• Daydreaming.
• Wisdom.
• Reliability.
• Independence.
• Security.
• Certainty.
• Organized.
• Mindfulness.
• Frankness.
• Openness.
• Devotion.
• Attractiveness.
• Affiliation.
• Proactivity.
• Determination.
• Modesty.
• Stability.
• Courage.
• Hardness.
• Accuracy.
• Moderation.
• Uniqueness.
• Financial independence.
• Thrift.
• Sensuality.
• Generosity.
• Brightness.
• Altruism.
• Heroism.
• Optimism.
• Pragmatism.
• Practicality.
• Professionalism.
• Realism.
• Balance.
• Wealth.
• Hospitality.
• Benevolence.
• Curiosity.
• Consistency.
• Perfection.
• Creation.
• Perseverance.
• Faith.
• Power.
• Imagination.
• Achievement.
• Knowledge.
• Study.
• Pleasure.
• Education.
• Understanding.
• Adventure.
• Confidence.
• Abundance.
• Wit.
• Opening.
• Justice.
• Acceptance.
• Development.
• Diversity.
• Sympathy.
• Hard work.
• Pleasure.
• Coolness.
• Hygiene.
• Depth.
• Discipline.
• Self-discipline.
• Friendship.
• Health.
• Comfort.
• Beauty.
• Logics.
• Love.
• World.
• Hope.
• Experience.
• Victory.
• Support.
• Peace.
• Benefit.
• Is it true.
• Simplicity.
• Height.
• Self-control.
• Freedom.
• Family.
• Glory.
• Passion.
• Happiness.
• Tradition.
• Energy.
• Synergy.
• Success.
• Purity.
• Humor.

This is not a complete list of value guidelines existing in the world. Based on it, you can create your own hierarchy by adding other concepts.

Abundance

A person with this value perceives the world as a source of well-being, diversity and many opportunities. He himself will be generous. If this value is distorted, then the following options are possible. He can be stingy, greedy or, on the contrary, wasteful. He can cling to every opportunity as if it were the last (for example, constantly buying promotional products, looking for benefits in everything). He will not believe in the generosity of the world and will believe that “there is not enough for everyone,” no matter what - money, food, happiness, opportunities.

The motives that guide them are: well-being, diversity, common good, material wealth, profit, savings, benefit.

Law

This is the value of law as a form of orderly interaction with people. For people who have this value, it is important to adhere to universal human principles: morality, morality, ethics. Negative qualities can manifest such qualities as arrogance, intolerance, dogmatism, mentoring, and excessive moralizing. Positive – decency, ethics, good organizational skills.

This value can manifest itself through the following motives: social activities, mentoring, teaching, religion, morality, morality.

Liberty

This is the value of having no restrictions or boundaries. In harmonious development, freedom is perceived naturally, as a matter of course. If there are distortions (deficiency), a person begins to defend his freedom, painfully endures any encroachment on it (even imaginary), tries to throw off everything that even slightly resembles restrictions. He can protest against lack of freedom both openly and actively, and within himself, resisting and resisting. The motivation of such people is independence, i.e. motivation "from".

Positive qualities include the following qualities: non-standard thinking, openness to new things, absence of stereotypes, idealism. In the negative: eccentricity, anarchism, uncontrollability, denial of authority, spirit of contradiction.

In addition to independence, they can be guided by the following motives: change, reform, democracy, equality, adventure.

True

This is the essence of everything - any knowledge, person, process, universe. People with this value strive to get to the bottom of things and find answers to their questions. In distortion, this means not only getting to the bottom of things, but also presenting to the world all the inconsistencies found and exposing the culprits, “bringing them to clean water.” Also a distortion is the desire to defend “your truth” and the refusal to look at the problem from different sides. In a positive aspect, such people are honest, sincere, fair, and open. These same qualities are valued in others. When distorted, these qualities turn into uncompromisingness, categoricalness, rigidity and intransigence.

Motives: truth, justice, meaning, reason, naturalness, naturalness, correctness, search and resolution of inconsistencies.

Another classification of value guidelines in the table

Pyramid of Values

A. Maslow’s famous scheme, which describes human needs, can also characterize the system according to which life priorities are built. The foundation of human existence as a whole is its biological component. There are motives that physiology dictates to us: in other words, it is difficult to talk about the eternal when you are hungry, cold or in pain.

The next stage in the formation of priorities is the desire for security. This includes the desire to organize a comfortable space for living.

After this, social needs arise, the need for respect and recognition, the thirst for knowledge and creativity, aesthetic and spiritual values.

How to instill life values ​​in the process of education

The first thing you need to understand is that don’t even try to instill in your child certain guidelines if your behavior contradicts your words. The fundamental principle of shaping a child’s personality is personal example. It is the model of adult behavior that a child and then a teenager encounters every day, in practice, that will become entrenched in his subconscious. Therefore, when swearing at children or demanding a certain way of thinking from them, think about whether you yourself are following what you are talking about.

Love

Love is the highest spiritual value that you can imagine. Human existence cannot be imagined without it.

Many people mistakenly believe that if they don’t have a loved one, then there is no love. However, love is ourselves, our essence. You can love a bird singing outside the window, a new day, the spring wind, the smile of a loved one...

Love can be different - spiritual, physical, material, friendly, etc. Love helps a person become better, ennobles him.

Good

Goodness is one of the most important spiritual values. It manifests itself in man’s desire to improve life on Earth not only for himself, but also for others.

A good person always strives for truth and justice. A good deed is manifested in sincerity - this is not when a person does something for gain, but when he tries to do something for another selflessly.

Kindness has always been valued, but people sometimes suffer greatly because of their sensitivity and concern for others. Kindness is a spiritual need for everyone; when we do something useful and good, we feel better, more confident, and our souls become light.

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Transcendence

To explain spirituality, Nikolai Mikhailovich Berezhnoy in his work “Man and His Needs” introduces the concept of transcendence. The voluminous and multifaceted meaning of this concept is widely revealed in the philosophical works of Immanuel Kant. But we are now interested in transcendence only in relation to spirituality. In this sense, it represents going beyond the boundaries of a person’s natural everyday existence, beyond the boundaries of the worldview he has achieved. To transcend means to overcome the boundaries of your empirical existence, yourself, to want to become higher, to strive for greater freedom.

Spirituality represents the transcendence of consciousness beyond the boundaries of everyday existence to a religious feeling, a philosophical comprehensive comprehension of the world, and an aesthetic world experience. That is, this is the desire to overcome one’s consciousness, achieve higher goals, follow social and personal ideals, highest values, as well as self-knowledge. This is expressed in the desire to contemplate nature, to beauty, and in interest in classical works of art and literature. Culture is the substance of spirituality, containing within itself the entire spiritual development of humanity, its quintessence.