We explain what the difference is between principles and values, what they have in common, what types there are of each and various examples.
What is the difference between principles and values?
When speaking commonly of principles and values, both notions are often confused, handling them as if they were equivalent. But these terms are not synonymous, although they are very close elements, linked to the field of ethics.
To distinguish them, let’s start by understanding that The principles are norms or rules of a general and universal nature, intended to guide conduct human towards well-being and development. These are propositions that contain numerous practical applications, which are also known as “maxims” if they are subjective in nature, and as “laws” if they are objective in nature.
Instead, values are concepts, qualities or attributes that are perceived as positive or desirable within the framework of a specific culture, society or human group. This is due to the fact that they are evaluations, that is, ways of judging or interpreting certain situations or concepts from a moral or ethical point of view. Thus, it is possible to speak of values of various kinds: social, religious, moral, civic, and so on.
All human beings have values, although these may not be the same, and we are governed by a set of principles that may or may not be conscious and express. These two factors are what govern life in society.
On the one hand, principles regulate behavior and operate on individuals whether they are aware of them or not; and on the other hand, the specific values serve as an anchor to these principles in each specific aspect of people’s lives.
In conclusion, the differences between principles and values can be summarized as:
| Beginning | Values |
|---|---|
| They are general and universal norms or mandates that govern human life. | They are desirable qualities or attributes in specific fields of culture and society. |
| They can be subjective (maxims) or objective (laws), depending on whether they come from inside or outside the individual. | They can be of very different types, depending on the cultural factor to which they belong: religious, family, moral, etc. |
| They are determined by the historical evolution of society. | They exist to varying degrees in a society or even in an individual. |
| Examples of this are: ● Freedom ● Justice ● Equality ● The fraternity ● The autonomy of countries | Examples of this are: ● Patriotism or love of country (political value) ● The rejection of premarital sex (religious value) ● Providing help to the sufferer (moral courage) ● Women should cover their hair with a veil (religious value) |