UNIVERSAL HUMAN VALUES AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

CO1

Q 1. Why there is a need of value education? Discuss.

Ans- The subject that enables us to understand ‘what is valuable’ for human happiness is called value education.
Need for value education is:

1- Correct identification of our aspirations.- The subject which enables us to understand ‘what is valuable’ for human
happiness is called value education. Thus, it enables us to understand our needs and visualize our goals correctly and
indicate the direction for their fulfilment. It also helps to remove our confusions and contradictions and bring
harmony at all levels.

2- Understanding universal human values to fulfil our aspirations in continuity.- Values form the basis for all our
thoughts, behaviours and actions. Once we know what is valuable to us, these values become the basis, the anchor
for our actions. We also need to understand the universality of various human values, because only then we can
have a definite and common program for value education. Then only we can be assured of a happy and harmonious
human society.

3- Complementarity of values and skills. - To fulfil our aspirations both values and skills are necessary. When we
identify and set the right goals and produced in right direction. This is known as value domain, the domain of
wisdom, and when we learn and practices to actualize this goal to develop the techniques to make this happen in
real life, in various dimensions of human endeavour (struggle). This is known as domain of skills. Hence, there is an
essential complementarity between values and skills for the success of any human endeavour. For example, I want
to lead a healthy life. Only wishing for good health will not help me keep my body fit and healthy and without having
understood the meaning of health, I will not be able to choose things correctly to keep my body fit and healthy.

4- Evaluation of our beliefs. - Each one of us believes in certain things and we base our values on these beliefs, be
they false or true which may or may not be true in reality. These believes come to us from what we read, see, hear,
what our parents tells us, our friends talk about, what the magazines talk of what we see from TV etc. Value
Education helps us to evaluate our beliefs and assumed values.

5-Technology and human values- The present education system has become largely skill based. The prime emphasis
is on science and technology. However, science and technology can only help to provide the means to achieve what
is considered valuable. It is not within the scope of science and technology to provide the competence of deciding
what really is valuable. Value Education is a crucial missing link in the present education system. Because of this
deficiency, most of our efforts may prove to be counterproductive and serious crises at the individual, societal and
environmental level are manifesting.

Q 2- Compare the needs of self and the needs of body.

The human being is the co-existence of ‘I’ and the body, and there is exchange of information between the two. We
can make this distinction between the self and the body in terms of the needs as described below:

Needs are …. The needs of the body like food for nourishment clothes for protection, and instruments to ensure
right utilization can be categorized as being ‘physical’ in nature, or also called ‘physical facilities’(suvidha) whereas
the need of I is essentially to live in a state of continuous happiness (sukh). The needs of the body are physical in
nature, whereas the needs of the self (‘I’) are not physical in nature - like trust, respect, happiness etc.

1. In time, needs are… The needs of ‘I’ are continuous in time, unlike the need of the body, which is temporary in
time. We want happiness continuously. We also want the feeling of respect continuously and so also acceptance in
relationship. If we talk about food, clothing, shelter, or instruments, these are needed only for some amount of time,
or we can say that the need for physical facilities of the body is temporary in time- it is not continuous.

2. In quality, needs are….. Physical facilities are needed for the body in a limited quantity. When we try and exceed
these limits, it becomes troublesome for us after some time. Let’s take the example of eating. As far as, physical
facilities (say rasgulla) go, they are necessary in the beginning, but if we keep consuming, it becomes intolerable with
the passage of time. This applies to every physical facility. We can only think of having unlimited physical facilities,
but if we try and consume, or have too much of physical facilities, it only ends up becoming a problem for us.
Whereas the needs of ‘I’ are qualitative (they are not quantifiable), but we also want them continuously. Our feelings
are qualitative. Either they are or they are not. E.g., Happiness is qualitative. Either we are feeling happy, or we are
not. Also, if a feeling is not naturally acceptable; we do not want it even for a single moment. If acceptable, we want
it continuously.

3. Needs are fulfilled by…. The need of the self (‘I’), for happiness is ensured by right understanding and right
feelings, while the need of the body, for physical facilities is ensured by appropriate physio-chemical things.

Q 3- Illustrate love is the complete value?

Ans- Love is called the complete value since this is the feeling of relatedness to all human beings. It is the emotion of
strong affection and personal attachment. In other words, love is a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep
affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. It starts with identifying that one is related to the other human being (the
feeling of affection) and it slowly expands to the feeling of being related to all human beings.

The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure ("I
loved that meal") to intense interpersonal attraction ("I love my spouse"). "Love" can also refer specifically to the
passionate desire and intimacy of romantic love, to the sexual love of Eros (cf. Greek words for love), to the
emotional closeness of familial love, or to the platonic love that defines friendship, to the profound oneness or
devotion of religious love. This diversity of uses and meanings, combined with the complexity of the feelings
involved, makes love unusually difficult to consistently define, even compared to other emotional states.

This feeling or value is also called the complete value since this is the feeling of relatedness to all human beings. It
starts with identifying that one is related to the other human being (the feeling of affection) and it slowly expands to
the feeling of being related to all human beings. The feeling of love leads to an undivided society, it starts from a
family and slowly expands to the world family in the form of love.

Q 4. Discuss the Harmony in Society and its importance with examples.

Ans:- “Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.” As time progresses our society is
losing its harmony. The people are forgetting the meaning of harmony and replaced it with the definition of hatred.
Hatred has long spread all over the world.
Harmony in society refers to a state of cooperation and mutual understanding between individuals and groups,
characterized by a lack of conflict and a sense of unity and stability. It involves the balance and coordination of
diverse interests, values, and beliefs to create a cohesive and functional community.

The promotion of harmony in society is considered important for several reasons. First, it contributes to the
stability and security of society, reducing the likelihood of conflict and violence. Second, it fosters a sense of
community, promoting a shared sense of purpose and identity, and contributing to the well-being of individuals.
Third, it helps to promote equality and justice, reducing discrimination and promoting fairness and equality of
opportunity.

To achieve harmony in society, it is necessary to address the underlying causes of conflict and division, such
as inequality, discrimination, and misunderstandings. This can involve promoting understanding and cooperation
between different groups, addressing systemic inequalities and injustices, and promoting a shared sense of identity
and purpose.

In addition, it is important to promote open and honest communication and dialogue, so that individuals and
groups can understand one another and work together towards a common goal. This can involve creating
opportunities for discussion and collaboration, fostering mutual respect and understanding, and promoting
transparency and accountability.
 Another key component of promoting harmony in society is promoting a culture of tolerance and respect for
diversity. This involves recognizing and valuing the unique contributions and perspectives of individuals and groups,
and promoting equality and justice for all.

Harmony in society is an essential component of a stable, secure, and prosperous community. To achieve
harmony, it is necessary to address the underlying causes of conflict and division, promote open and honest
communication, and foster a culture of tolerance and respect for diversity. By promoting harmony in society,
individuals and communities can work together towards a shared sense of purpose and a more fulfilling and
meaningful future.

Q 5. Explain human conduct in terms of values, policies, and character with appropriate examples.

Ans- The right understanding gained through self‐exploration enables one to identify the definitiveness of human
conduct which may also be called the Ethical human conduct. It is the same for all human beings and is in agreement
with the universal human values.

Characteristics of ethical human conduct:

It is a combined representation of – Values, policies, and character. Values help us to live in harmony with
family, character helps us to live harmoniously in the society and policies help us to maintain harmony with the
orders of nature.

Values: Values can be witnessed in relationships. The ability to recognize the relationships is due to imagination and
being self-organized in work. It enables us to understand the relationship between various orders of nature too. We
have many relations in life, but the actual purpose of relationship is to be understood. For example, the purpose of
relationship between parents and children is fulfilment and protection and living in order. Trust is the functional
value that helps us to maintain the continuity of relationship.

Policy: The assets of an individual include the self ‘I’, the body, and the physical resources. It is important that proper
coordination exists between them. Policies are the rules which when followed help us to protect, enrich and utilize
adequately the various assets possessed by us. One must evaluate his conduct based on the above three dimensions
and self-exploration alone bridges the gap between conduct and the ethical human conduct. A human being can be
called prosperous and successful if he blends his professional skills with ethical human conduct.

Character: Character is determined by the values one incorporates in his life. It is the outcome of the values he
possesses, his perception, imagination and the experiences gained during his lifetime. The characteristics of good
character include‐

‐ Having personal trustworthy relationships

‐ Access to rightful acquiring of wealth
‐ Compassionate behaviour and work

If one has the above, he will be organized and has self-harmony. By understanding natural acceptance on gains self-
expression and self-extension by participation in harmony at all levels of existence. This leads to right understanding
which will result in a prosperous undivided society of high human order. This definitiveness of human conduct in
terms of values, policies and character is termed as Ethics. The criterion to judge whether an act of human being is
ethical or unethical, and a definite way to work for ethics in life and profession are varying. Ethics in the life of an
individual can be imbibed only through inculcation of values, policies, and character, and this is possible through the
process of ensuring right understanding through self‐exploration. At the same time, we can see that a human being
with ethical human conduct coupled with requisite professional skills only can be a good professional, namely, a
good engineer, a good manager, a good teacher and researcher, a good technocrat, etc. 'Ethical conduct' implies
that it is naturally acceptable and does not give rise to conflict within. Thus, the 'ethical conduct' is self‐satisfying,
people‐friendly, eco‐friendly and universal.

CO2

Q 1- Write a short note on the need for value education in today’s scenario.
 Ans- Value-based education is essential to develop an individual and help him/her lifelong in many ways:

1) It gives a positive direction to the students to shape their future and even helps them to know the purpose
of their life.

2) It teaches them the best way to live that can be beneficial to individuals as well as the people around them.

3) Value education also helps the students to become more and more responsible and sensible.

4) It helps them to understand the perspective of life in a better way and lead a successful life as a responsible
citizen.

5) It also helps students to develop a strong relationship with family and friends.

6) It develops the character and personality of the students.

7) Value education develops a positive view of life in the student’s mind.

Clearly, value-based education is essential for the holistic development of a child. Value education
develops a well-balanced individual with a strong character and value.

Q 2- Activities of ‘self’ are continuous? Discuss

Ans- The needs of ‘I’ are continuous in time, unlike the need of the body, which is temporary in time. We
want happiness continuously. We also want the feeling of respect continuously and so also acceptance in
relationship. You do not want to be unhappy even for a single moment or lose the feeling of respect for
yourself for a single moment.

If we talk about food, clothing, shelter, or instruments, these are needed only for some amount of time, or
we can say that the need for physical facilities of the body is temporary in time- it is not continuous.

The needs of ‘I’ are qualitative (they are not quantifiable), but we also want them continuously. Our feelings
are qualitative. Either they are or they are not. Ex. Happiness is qualitative. Either we are feeling happy, or
we are not. Also, if a feeling is not naturally acceptable; we do not want it even for a single moment. If
acceptable, we want it continuously.

1. When desire is set we start forming thoughts about fulfilling this desire. E.g. with the desire of a good life
via the car, we start thinking about how to get the car, what is the cost of the car, how can I have that car,
etc.

2. Based on this we make selection to fulfill these thoughts e.g. we choose the car its shape color etc and
then end up buying it.

Desires leads to Thoughts leads to Selection

Together we call these activities as imagination. Activities in self are continuous.

Selection leads to Thoughts leads to Desires leads to Thoughts leads to Selection.

We make choices with the external world based on our imagination today.

Imagination = Desires + Thoughts + Expectations

This activity of imagination in ‘I’ is continuous and not temporary. The power may change but the activity is
continuous. The object of the taste may change but the activity of selecting/tasting is continuous. Also what
we analyse may keep changing the activity of analysing is continuous. E.g. my object of taste may change
from rasgulla, to engineering or nice looking bike, etc. similarly I may analyse about my personal life at one
moment and about my surrounding at the next moment and may start thinking about my relationships.
These activities keep going on in us irrespective of whether we want them or not. This is what happens when
we say “I was going to the exam and that song kept repeating itself in me, it was so distracting”.

Q 3- ‘Discrimination leads to acrimony in relationships’. How?

Ans. Differentiation based on sex/gender: Issue of women's rights, and women protesting and demanding
for equality in education, in jobs, and in peoples' representation. People are insecure and afraid of one
another based on their gender.

Differentiation based on race: there are many movements and protect against racial discrimination and
demands for equality, racial attacks, movements against cast discrimination has people living in fear of such
racism, racist attacks, casteism and discrimination.

Differentiation based on age: Protests and movements demanding equal rights for children on the one hand
and for rights for elderly people on the other, generation gap

Differentiation based on wealth: Class struggle and movements to do away with class-differentiation. Many
people suffering from a lack of self-esteem and some even committing suicide,

Differentiation based on the post: Protest high handed government officials. At the level of the individual,
leads to depression, etc.

Differentiation based on “isms”: Fights, turmoil, terrorism and war, people converting from one Ism to
another to be able to get more respect.

Differentiation based on sects: Countless religions and sects and each sect have its own movement to ensure
that there is no discrimination against people of their belief. Demands for special provisions in jobs and in
education.

Q 4.- Discuss any two orders of nature? Briefly explain them

Ans- Material Order, Plant Order, Animal Order:

Material Order helps the Plant and Animal Order by providing soil, water, oxygen, sunlight, nutrients,
minerals etc. and also provides the basis for movement.

Plant Order helps the Material Order by preventing soil erosion, producing Oxygen, absorbing CO2 etc. It
helps the Animal Order by providing food.

Animal Order helps the Material Order by enriching the soil through excreta. It helps the Plant Order in
Pollination.

Thus all the three orders are mutually interdependent and co-exist with mutual fulfilment.

Material Order, Plant Order, Animal Order, Human Order:

All the first three orders help the Human Order to have the Natural Acceptance to be mutually fulfilling with
the three orders. But human beings are not able to ensure this fulfilment.

The Material Order helps the Human Order by providing soil, minerals, metals, oxygen etc. but Human
beings in return are polluting the Material Order and depleting the fossil fuels.

The Plant order helps the Human order by proving food, oxygen and by absorbing Carbondioxide. In return,
the Human beings are destroying forests and many species of plants and herbs.

The Animal order provides the Human order with food, wool, leather, means of labour and transport etc.
The Human beings in return have made several species of animals extinct.
Thus, except the Human order, all the other three orders are in harmony with each other and are also
fulfilling the Human order. It is high time that the human beings learn to live in harmony with the other
three orders.

Q 5- Comment on profession- in the light of comprehensive human goal.

Ans- Any profession is a channel for participation by human beings in the larger order in pursuance of
comprehensive human goal. In the process, one can contribute towards the livelihood of one's family and
participate in the larger order constituting the society and the nature around. All these activities do require a
certain degree of skill and are expected to be performed in consonance with the comprehensive human
goal. Then only, these will be conducive to the sustained welfare of the individual as well as the society. The
excellence or the success of any professional activity is to be judged from this comprehensive point of view
only and not in terms of just wealth generation. Accordingly, the profession is not only a means of earning
one's livelihood but a means of one's evolution by appropriate participation in the larger order. It is an
important activity to authenticate one's understanding, whereby interact with other human beings and with
rest of nature in a mutually fulfilling manner. Thus, profession is a 'service'.

CO3

Q 1- Explain and illustrate about self-exploration

Ans- Self exploration is the process to find out what is valuable to me by investigating within myself, what is
right for me, true for me, must be judged within myself. Through self-exploration we get the value of our
self. It is a process of focusing attention on our self, our present beliefs, and aspirations vis-à-vis what we
really want to be (that is to say, what is naturally acceptable to us). If these two are the same, then there is
no problem. If on investigation we find that these two are not the same, then it means we are living with this
contradiction (of not being what we really want to be) and hence, we need to resolve this contradiction this
conflict within us. It is a process of discovering that there is something innate, invariant, and universal in all
human beings. This enables us to look at our confusions and contradictions within and resolve them by
becoming aware of our natural acceptance.

Q 2- How can you justify that “the human body is self-organised unit”?

Ans- The human body is a mechanism which is self-organized and highly sophisticated. With Self organized
body, health can be ensured and without, a good health can also be lost. Hence, Self-organized
body plays a vital role for the health and needs to be given due priority. Today we
observe that our lifestyle has become very demanding and peculiar. So, we usually do not give.
priority to take proper care of the body. As a result, we have increasingly started eating at odd
hours, eating junk food, and are largely ignorant about the state of our body. We tend to look with contempt
on any kind of exertion. Our environment has been polluted by our various activities today which are directly
or indirectly harming us. There is nothing natural and clean, e.g. there is contamination in the air, water, soil,
plants, and No doubt we people are responsible for it. You may find out that our present lifestyle and
conditionings are not very conducive to keep the body fit and therefore it is important to understand Self-
organized unit and health correctly and maintain proper harmony with the body. The other issue is the
protection of the body. The clothes and shelter we choose for protection need to be such that they ensure
proper interaction of the body with the environment. The right amount of exposure of the body to the air,
water and sun is required to ensure its proper functioning. The need for physical facilities for nurture,
protection and right utilization of the Body is limited. We need to understand and live with Self-organized
body to ensure health. Clarity of the needs of the Body, paves way towards ensuring prosperity. This is the
necessity of the present time, and we need to pay consideration towards this rising issue.

Q3- What is the basis of ‘respect’ for a human being? Do you see that the other human being is also similar
to you? Explain.
Ans- Respect is the foundation of human and ethical behaviour, and mutual respect underpins good
relationships. To have respect for a person involves a fundamental belief in their right to exist, to be heard,
and to have the same opportunities as everyone else.
Respect doesn't mean ignoring people's differences, or simply tolerating them. Rather, it involves
recognizing differences, understanding their significance, and responding with interest, politeness, and care.
Mutual respect is also based on a shared belief in the benefits of diversity – the variety of backgrounds,
abilities, and viewpoints within your team.
But it also means looking beyond differences. With mutual respect, you avoid labelling people in unhelpful
ways. Instead, you celebrate the unique things that each of us brings – and capitalize on all that we have in
common.
Mutual respect should be apparent throughout the workplace, from policies and processes to individual
interactions. It has a guiding role to play in face-to-face meetings, written communications, body language,
and the ways in which people behave together.

Q 4- Explain the concept of holistic perception of harmony in existence.

Ans- Holistic perception of harmony at all levels of existence refers to the understanding that all things in the
universe are interconnected and interdependent, and that harmony exists at all levels of existence from the
individual to the collective, from the physical to the spiritual. This perception of harmony is rooted in the
belief that all things are part of a larger, interconnected whole and that each individual part contributes to
the overall harmony of the universe.
At the individual level, a holistic perception of harmony recognizes that each person has a unique role to play
in the universe and that their actions and decisions have an impact on the greater whole. This understanding
encourages individuals to act in a manner that promotes harmony, both within themselves and in the world
around them.
At the collective level, a holistic perception of harmony recognizes that communities, societies, and nations
are all interconnected and interdependent. It recognizes that the actions of one group or society can have a
profound impact on the lives of others and encourages cooperation and collaboration towards a shared goal
of harmony.
In the physical world, a holistic perception of harmony recognizes that all living and non-living things are
interconnected and interdependent. This understanding encourages a respect for the natural world and a
recognition that human actions can have a profound impact on the environment. It encourages a sustainable
approach to resource use and a commitment to preserving the natural world for future generations.
At the spiritual level, a holistic perception of harmony recognizes that the spiritual and material realms are
interconnected and interdependent. This understanding encourages recognition of the spiritual aspect of all
things and a respect for the spiritual beliefs of others. It encourages a sense of inner peace and a
commitment to creating a world in which all beings can flourish.

Q 5- What do you understand by holistic technology? Briefly explain.

Ans: The modern technology and systems are all human inventions in response to the needs visualized under
the influence of prevailing worldview. In order to facilitate the development of holistic technologies and
systems, it will be necessary to visualize alternative objective functions and to formulate appropriate criteria
for evaluation compatible with comprehensive human goal. There are three broad criteria to guide the
development of such technologies and systems.

1. Catering to appropriate needs and lifestyles

2. People friendly
3. Eco-friendly

In addition, these have to promote local self-sufficiency and optimal utilization of local resources and
expertise. Development of these technologies will provide- a model of living which is inherently conducive to
the needs of all human beings and compatible with the nature. The development of such system and devices
requires right understanding and a close scrutiny of the system and processes of nature, as these are
basically holistic, time tested and self-regulated. Further, it will also require a careful learning from some of
the traditional practices, critically examining them so that we are able to identify their strength and desirable
features and retain them while evolving technologies and system for our present need. Only then we can
appropriately harness the store house of traditional wisdom along with the present-day knowledge of
science and technology.