In my previous post, The meaning of values, I differentiated between 3 types of values and I wanted to see how they relate to the basic model that I use on this blog.
But because I already was trying to make my point about the relation between the meaning of life and the meaning of values, the post was getting a bit cluttered and I lost my view on that.
Now here, in this post, I want to see how they fit into that model. The 3 types of values from the previous post are the following:
- The cultural background that makes values look like facts
- Experiences that make certain values very personal
- The amounts of time you had to defend those values
So I will go over each one of them to see where they can be placed in that model. The model that is a combination of the zodiac and the quadrants from integral theory.
Beneath the world of matter and logic
I will place each one of them at the transition from one phase of life into another. A transition that is not actually visible and plays its role beneath the world of matter and logic.
The matter and logic that I call in the context of this blog structure. Structure as opposed to potential.
The concept of potential is what I use here for a place that can hold the different types of values.
Three types that are placed at the three essential transitions in life. From universal into primordial, from primordial into individual, from individual into universal. And finally again from universal into primordial, where a new cycle starts.
The primordial can be seen as the cultural background of where a child is born. And what is called universal is the world as a whole at a certain moment in time.
And in between is the development of the individual.
It is a cycle that is constantly repeating itself. On all kind of levels. But it is a cycle in the form of a spiral. Every time it starts with the beginning again but on another level.
- The cultural background that makes values look like facts
The first set of values can not so much be called values. It has not much to do with the individual, not even with the family. It is the cultural background a person is born in.
It is what I call here, the transition from the universal phase into the primordial phase. The universal phase is culture that is built over time. Our western culture has certain values that most people will agree upon.
But those values are not the same as they where 400 years ago, not even the same as 40 years ago. They evolve over time and are defined by events and laws.
Because of the effects that peoples actions have on others, there have to be certain rules to let people live together in relative peace. Some might call them values, others laws. And some might just call them common sense.
But because they are common sense to us, does not mean they are common sense to everyone. Other cultures have other laws and values that they see as common sense. But what we see as offensive or rude or just plain wrong.
- Experiences that make certain values very personal
The second set of values are those that are very personal. Those experiences in our youth that have a huge impact. Where something happens that shapes our vision of the world.
Growing up in a family that is violent gives you a different perspective of the world than growing up in a family that is loving and caring, even in the same society with the same cultural background of values. Here also, you might not be aware that they are actually values.
It just is what it is.
But in this transition from primordial into individual, the person has to start an individual life. Independent of his family and cultural background.
To actually start with this and actually make decisions, you need a set of values. You need a context to know what to do and what to avoid.
In order to live an authentic life and build upon your own values, you have to choose. Every day you have to make decisions. And if there were no guidelines that you can more or less hold on to, it would be almost impossible to choose.
At the start that set of guidelines might not be so very strict. But the further you go, the more it becomes clear that they are not the same as those of others. In many cases it is not that obvious, just a minor disagreement. But as time goes by, your own set of guidelines increases.
You said ‘no’ to something and ‘yes’ to something else. And because you acted in some way, the next time it is easier to go that way.
You start to build a personality, an identity, an ego. Or like in business, you build a brand. Something others will recognise and relate to (or not). Something that provides room for major improvement and development in a certain direction.
Some of the values will be removed because they get in the way of your own development.
But some of them get stronger, much stronger. Especially those that are a combination of cultural background and personal experience that are used to build your personal identity on.
And the stronger the personal identity gets, the stronger you have to defend the values the identity is actually based upon. And these become the third set of values.
- The amounts of time you had to defend those values
The third set of values are a combination of unconscious values (cultural background and personal values) and conscious values (chosen to build our identity) which together make you who you are.
Your personality that is unique to you, that what sets you apart from all the others. It is how you want to be known. It is how others will easy recognise you. It is where you are proud of. What you achieved in life.
But the more strong that identity is, the more unique, the more successful, the more you might have to defend yourself against attacks. Which might be not that bad, it only improves your skills. The more you have to defend yourself, the more clear it all becomes to yourself.
But the real problems set in if those core values get attacked, those that are the foundation of who you are, that what made you capable of building your identity. And if that happens, your emotional reactions might get very strong. And make those values even stronger. A vicious circle.
Unless you can take a step away and look at it more objective.
Some day the moment has to come to realise your set of values is not universal. Other cultures have other values. Other people have other values. And they all depend on the context.
But that does not mean it was unnecessary to build upon those values. Actually it was very important. It is what the world needs, strong, unique and powerful individuals that are capable of being a success.
Those individuals that shape the future. That provide a cultural background for future generations.
And so we are back again with the beginning. But this time it is a cultural background we were part of. Either conscious or subconscious. But the way we lived according to our own set of values shapes the future. And makes our values common sense to those who are born again in that future.
