Values

July 31, 2024

Definitions

The concept of values is hairy. In the many lists you'll find below, you'll see that we tend to lump together a variety of things as all under the umbrella of "values":

  • things we experience,
  • things we like,
  • states of being,
  • things we do,
  • things we feel,
  • things we intend,
  • things we seek, etc.

Since this term has been used and abused, there's no "right answer" to what the definition of "values" has to be. The point of exploring your personal values is to conceptualize what you prioritize and strive to cultivate in life.

Thus, as you explore your values, it's useful to recognize when you're talking about experiences vs behaviors vs feelings vs states, because the way you will prioritize and cultivate these varies significantly.

Lastly, always keep in mind the fact that values are all abstract concepts relative to real ("concrete") things ("entities" / "beings" / "objects") in the world, such as humans/humanity, animals, plants, the natural environment itself, Planet Earth, etc. The vast majority of people's "values" tend to all be about humans, but that's not always the case. Most values are either:

  • Ethical beliefs [about the real things]
  • Subjective experiences and internal states [for the real things]
  • Desired behaviors [of the real things]
  • Desired situations [involving the real things]

So, again, it's also useful to distinguish between ethical beliefs, subjective experiences, internal states, desired behaviors, and desired situations, because the way you will prioritize and cultivate these varies significantly.

Lists

Here are some good lists of values:

Clearer Thinking's "Intrinsic Values"

  • achievement
  • legacy
  • spirituality
  • longevity
  • happiness
  • pleasure
  • non-suffering
  • caring
  • reputation
  • loyalty
  • protection
  • fairness
  • virtue
  • purity
  • justice
  • respect
  • diversity
  • learning
  • truth
  • beauty
  • freedom
  • nature

ACT values

  • Acceptance
  • Adventure
  • Assertiveness
  • Authenticity
  • Beauty
  • Caring
  • Challenge
  • Compassion
  • Connection
  • Contribution
  • Conformity
  • Cooperation
  • Courage
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Encouragement
  • Equality
  • Excitement
  • Fairness
  • Fitness
  • Flexibility
  • Freedom
  • Friendliness
  • Forgiveness
  • Fun
  • Generosity
  • Gratitude
  • Honesty
  • Humor
  • Humility
  • Industry
  • Independence
  • Intimacy
  • Justice
  • Kindness
  • Love
  • Mindfulness
  • Order
  • Open-mindedness
  • Patience
  • Persistence
  • Pleasure
  • Power
  • Reciprocity
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Romance
  • Safety
  • Self-awareness
  • Self-care
  • Self-development
  • Self-control
  • Sensuality
  • Sexuality
  • Spirituality
  • Skillfulness
  • Supportiveness
  • Trust

VIA Institute on Character: Survey of Character Strengths (and Virtues)

  • Wisdom
    • Creativity
    • Curiosity
    • Judgment
    • Perspective
    • Love of Learning
  • Courage
    • Bravery
    • Honesty
    • Perseverance
    • Zest
  • Transcendence
    • Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence
    • Gratitude
    • Spirituality
    • Hope
    • Humor
  • Temperance
    • Humility
    • Forgiveness
    • Prudence
    • Self-Regulation
  • Humanity
    • Kindness
    • Love
    • Social Intelligence
  • Justice
    • Leadership
    • Fairness
    • Teamwork

Schwartz Basic Values Survey

  • Self-Direction
  • Stimulation
  • Hedonism
  • Achievement
  • Power
  • Security
  • Conformity
  • Tradition
  • Benevolence
  • Universalism

Brené Brown: Dare to Lead

  • Accountability
  • Achievement
  • Adaptability
  • Adventure
  • Altruism
  • Ambition
  • Authenticity
  • Balance
  • Beauty
  • Being the best
  • Belonging
  • Career
  • Caring
  • Collaboration
  • Commitment
  • Community
  • Compassion
  • Competence
  • Confidence
  • Connection
  • Contentment
  • Contribution
  • Cooperation
  • Courage
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Dignity
  • Diversity
  • Environment
  • Efficiency
  • Equality
  • Ethics
  • Excellence
  • Fairness
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Financial stability
  • Forgiveness
  • Freedom
  • Friendship
  • Fun
  • Future generations
  • Generosity
  • Giving back
  • Grace
  • Gratitude
  • Growth
  • Harmony
  • Health
  • Home
  • Honesty
  • Hope
  • Humility
  • Humor
  • Inclusion
  • Independence
  • Initiative
  • Integrity
  • Intuition
  • Job security
  • Joy
  • Justice
  • Kindness
  • Knowledge
  • Leadership
  • Learning
  • Legacy
  • Leisure
  • Love
  • Loyalty
  • Making a difference
  • Nature
  • Openness
  • Optimism
  • Order
  • Parenting
  • Patience
  • Patriotism
  • Peace
  • Perseverance
  • Personal fulfillment
  • Power
  • Pride
  • Recognition
  • Reliability
  • Resourcefulness
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Risk-taking
  • Safety
  • Security
  • Self-discipline
  • Self-expression
  • Self-respect
  • Serenity
  • Service
  • Simplicity
  • Spirituality
  • Sportsmanship
  • Stewardship
  • Success
  • Teamwork
  • Thrift
  • Time
  • Tradition
  • Travel
  • Trust
  • Truth
  • Understanding
  • Uniqueness
  • Usefulness
  • Vision
  • Vulnerability
  • Wealth
  • Well-being
  • Wholeheartedness
  • Wisdom

James Clear: Core Values

  • Authenticity
  • Achievement
  • Adventure
  • Authority
  • Autonomy
  • Balance
  • Beauty
  • Boldness
  • Compassion
  • Challenge
  • Citizenship
  • Community
  • Competency
  • Contribution
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Determination
  • Fairness
  • Faith
  • Fame
  • Friendships
  • Fun
  • Growth
  • Happiness
  • Honesty
  • Humor
  • Influence
  • Inner Harmony
  • Justice
  • Kindness
  • Knowledge
  • Leadership
  • Learning
  • Love
  • Loyalty
  • Meaningful Work
  • Openness
  • Optimism
  • Peace
  • Pleasure
  • Poise
  • Popularity
  • Recognition
  • Religion
  • Reputation
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Security
  • Self-Respect
  • Service
  • Spirituality
  • Stability
  • Success
  • Status
  • Trustworthiness
  • Wealth
  • Wisdom

230 Core Values

  • Acceptance
  • Exploration
  • Present
  • Accomplishment
  • Expressive
  • Productivity
  • Accountability
  • Fairness
  • Professionalism
  • Accuracy
  • Family
  • Prosperity
  • Achievement
  • Famous
  • Purpose
  • Adaptability
  • Fearless
  • Quality
  • Alertness
  • Feelings
  • Realistic
  • Altruism
  • Ferocious
  • Reason
  • Ambition
  • Fidelity
  • Recognition
  • Amusement
  • Focus
  • Recreation
  • Assertiveness
  • Foresight
  • Reflective
  • Attentive
  • Fortitude
  • Respect
  • Awareness
  • Freedom
  • Responsibility
  • Balance
  • Friendship
  • Restraint
  • Beauty
  • Fun
  • Results-oriented
  • Boldness
  • Generosity
  • Reverence
  • Bravery
  • Genius
  • Rigor
  • Brilliance
  • Giving
  • Risk
  • Calm
  • Goodness
  • Satisfaction
  • Candor
  • Grace
  • Security
  • Capable
  • Gratitude
  • Self-reliance
  • Careful
  • Greatness
  • Selfless
  • Certainty
  • Growth
  • Sensitivity
  • Challenge
  • Happiness
  • Serenity
  • Charity
  • Hard work
  • Service
  • Cleanliness
  • Harmony
  • Sharing
  • Clear
  • Health
  • Significance
  • Clever
  • Honesty
  • Silence
  • Comfort
  • Honor
  • Simplicity
  • Commitment
  • Hope
  • Sincerity
  • Common sense
  • Humility
  • Skill
  • Communication
  • Humor
  • Skillfulness
  • Community
  • Imagination
  • Smart
  • Compassion
  • Improvement
  • Solitude
  • Competence
  • Independence
  • Spirit
  • Concentration
  • Individuality
  • Spirituality
  • Confidence
  • Innovation
  • Spontaneous
  • Connection
  • Inquisitive
  • Stability
  • Consciousness
  • Insightful
  • Status
  • Consistency
  • Inspiring
  • Stewardship
  • Contentment
  • Integrity
  • Strength
  • Contribution
  • Intelligence
  • Structure
  • Control
  • Intensity
  • Success
  • Conviction
  • Intuitive
  • Support
  • Cooperation
  • Joy
  • Surprise
  • Courage
  • Justice
  • Sustainability
  • Courtesy
  • Kindness
  • Talent
  • Creation
  • Knowledge
  • Teamwork
  • Creativity
  • Lawful
  • Temperance
  • Credibility
  • Leadership
  • Thankful
  • Curiosity
  • Learning
  • Thorough
  • Decisive
  • Liberty
  • Thoughtful
  • Decisiveness
  • Logic
  • Timeliness
  • Dedication
  • Love
  • Tolerance
  • Dependability
  • Loyalty
  • Toughness
  • Determination
  • Mastery
  • Traditional
  • Development
  • Maturity
  • Tranquility
  • Devotion
  • Meaning
  • Transparency
  • Dignity
  • Moderation
  • Trust
  • Discipline
  • Motivation
  • Trustworthy
  • Discovery
  • Openness
  • Truth
  • Drive
  • Optimism
  • Understanding
  • Effectiveness
  • Order
  • Uniqueness
  • Efficiency
  • Organization
  • Unity
  • Empathy
  • Originality
  • Valor
  • Empower
  • Passion
  • Victory
  • Endurance
  • Patience
  • Vigor
  • Energy
  • Peace
  • Vision
  • Enjoyment
  • Performance
  • Vitality
  • Enthusiasm
  • Persistence
  • Wealth
  • Equality
  • Playfulness
  • Welcoming
  • Ethical
  • Poise
  • Winning
  • Excellence
  • Potential
  • Wisdom
  • Experience
  • Power
  • Wonder

Mind Tools

  • Accountability
  • Accuracy
  • Achievement
  • Adventurousness
  • Altruism
  • Ambition
  • Assertiveness
  • Balance
  • Being the best
  • Belonging
  • Boldness
  • Calmness
  • Carefulness
  • Challenge
  • Cheerfulness
  • Clear-mindedness
  • Commitment
  • Community
  • Compassion
  • Competitiveness
  • Consistency
  • Contentment
  • Continuous
  • Improvement
  • Contribution
  • Control
  • Cooperation
  • Correctness
  • Courtesy
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Decisiveness
  • Democraticness
  • Dependability
  • Determination
  • Devoutness
  • Diligence
  • Discipline
  • Discretion
  • Diversity
  • Dynamism
  • Economy
  • Effectiveness
  • Efficiency
  • Elegance
  • Empathy
  • Enjoyment
  • Enthusiasm
  • Equality
  • Excellence
  • Excitement
  • Expertise
  • Exploration
  • Expressiveness
  • Fairness
  • Faith
  • Family-orientedness
  • Fidelity
  • Fitness
  • Fluency
  • Focus
  • Freedom
  • Fun
  • Generosity
  • Goodness
  • Grace
  • Growth
  • Happiness
  • Hard work
  • Health
  • Helping society
  • Holiness
  • Honesty
  • Honor
  • Humility
  • Independence
  • Ingenuity
  • Inner harmony
  • Inquisitiveness
  • Insightfulness
  • Intelligence
  • Intellectual status
  • Intuition
  • Joy
  • Justice
  • Leadership
  • Legacy
  • Love
  • Loyalty
  • Making a difference
  • Mastery
  • Merit
  • Obedience
  • Openness
  • Order
  • Originality
  • Patriotism
  • Perfection
  • Piety
  • Positivity
  • Practicality
  • Preparedness
  • Professionalism
  • Prudence
  • Quality-orientation
  • Reliability
  • Resourcefulness
  • Restraint
  • Results-oriented
  • Rigor
  • Security
  • Self-actualization
  • Self-control
  • Selflessness
  • Self-reliance
  • Sensitivity
  • Serenity
  • Service
  • Shrewdness
  • Simplicity
  • Soundness
  • Speed
  • Spontaneity
  • Stability
  • Strategic
  • Strength
  • Structure
  • Success
  • Support
  • Teamwork
  • Temperance
  • Thankfulness
  • Thoroughness
  • Thoughtfulness
  • Timeliness
  • Tolerance
  • Traditionalism
  • Trustworthiness
  • Truth-seeking
  • Understanding
  • Uniqueness
  • Unity
  • Usefulness
  • Vision
  • Vitality

Rokeach Value Survey: Terminal Values

  • Friendship
  • Love
  • Self-Respect
  • Happiness
  • Inner Harmony
  • Equality
  • Freedom
  • Pleasure
  • Social Recognition
  • Wisdom
  • Family Security
  • (A Sense of) Accomplishment
  • (A World of) Beauty
  • (A World at) Peace
  • Comfort (A Comfortable Life)
  • Excitement (An Exciting Life)

My own list of the (universal) "best" experiences, behaviors, feelings, and states

  • Connection and Connectedness
  • Relation and Relationships
  • Love and Belonging
  • Caring and Nurturing
  • Serenity and Peace
  • Harmony and Tranquility
  • Calmness and Equanimity
  • Engagement and Flow
  • Immersion and Oneness
  • Presence and Attention
  • Interest and Fascination
  • Intrigue and Curiosity
  • Enthusiasm and Excitement
  • Learning and Understanding
  • Comprehension and Clarity
  • Attunement and Interconnectivity
  • Appreciation and Gratitude
  • Positivity and Enjoyment
  • Play and Fun
  • Joy and Elation
  • Bliss and Cheerfulness
  • Kindness and Fondness
  • Giving and Generosity
  • Help and Support
  • Vulnerability and Authenticity
  • Affection and Intimacy
  • Inspiration and Aspiration
  • Motivation and Ambition
  • Creation and Creativity
  • Wisdom and Insight
  • Growth and Actualization