Values as the Foundation for Virtues

1
Values as the Foundation for Virtues

• The Unexamined Life is not Worth Living.
• Socrates (c. 470-399 b.c.e.)

2
James MacGregor Burns Summary

• Values are power resources for a leadership that
  would transform society for the fuller
  realization of the highest moral purposes.
• The mobilizing and kindling power of
  transforming values is the most essential and
  durable factor in leadership.
• Values --- operationalized, claimed as rights,
  empowering leaders and followers --- are weapons.

3
Definitions

• What is right, worthwhile or desirable.
• Principles or standards.
• What is important.
• Criteria for selecting actions.
• Foundations for making choices.
• Context for actions.
• Virtues are actions that are performed against
  the backdrop of values.

4
Clusters of Values

• All actions and choices are value-laden.
• Changeable --- space, time, circumstances.
• Personal --- individual.
• Professional --- commitment to a profession.
• Instrumental (Means to an end).
• Goals (Teleological).

5
Groups of Values

• Universal
• Religious
• Cultural
• Transcultural
• National
• Political
• Legal
• Economic

6
Hierarchy of Values

• Historical.
• Anchoring the present.
• Transcending the past.
• Security a constant.
• Pluralistic world.
• Democracy --- self determination.
• Supreme values --- security, liberty ordered
  liberty, equality, justice, community.

7
Leaders and Followers

• Unified by sharing similar values expressed in
  hopes, wants, needs.
• Transformational dynamic.
• Isomorphic sharing of values ? stability.
• Separation of values ? change of leadership.
• The stronger the value systems, the more
  strongly leaders can be empowered.