Morphological test of life values. Value scale

The Schwartz Value Test (Schwartz Value Questionnaire. / Schwartz Methodology) is used to study the dynamics of changes in values ​​both in groups (cultures) in connection with changes in society, and for the individual in connection with his life problems.

By values, Shalom H. Schwartz meant “recognized” needs that directly depend on the culture, environment, and mentality of a particular society (see Fig. Model of the relationship of the ten basic human values(Schwartz's circle of values)).

The Schwartz questionnaire is based on the theory that all values ​​are divided into social And individual. The questionnaire was developed by Shalom Schwartz in 1992.

S. Schwartz’s technique (Schwartz’s Value Questionnaire (VQ) / Schwartz’s Value Test):

Description of the Schwartz technique. The Schwartz questionnaire consists in two parts.

The first part of the questionnaire is designed to study the values, ideals and beliefs that influence the individual. List of values consists of two parts: nouns and adjectives, including 57 values. The subject evaluates each of the proposed values ​​on a scale from 7 to -1 points.

The second part of the Schwartz questionnaire is a personality profile. Consists of 40 descriptions of a person, characterizing 10 types of values. To evaluate descriptions, a scale from 4 to -1 points is used.

First part of the questionnaire

Instructions:

Ask yourself: "What values ​​are important to me as guiding principles in My life? Which values ​​are less important to me?" Your task: evaluate how important each value is to you as a guiding principle in your life.

Rating scale:

• 7 - a value that is extremely important as the guiding principle of your life (usually there are one or two such values);
• 6 - very important;
• 5 - quite important;
• 4 - important;
• 3 - not very important;
• 2 - little important;
• 1 - not important;
• 0 - completely indifferent;
• -1 is the opposite of the principles you follow.

Before you begin, read the list of 30 values ​​and choose the one that is most important to you and rate its importance a "7". Next, select the value that is least important to you and rate it -1, 0 or 1, according to its importance. Then rate the remaining values ​​(from -1 to 7).

Test material - List of values ​​I:

1 EQUALITY (equal opportunities for everyone)

2 INTERNAL HARMONY (be at peace with yourself)

3 SOCIAL POWER (control over others, dominance)

4 PLEASURE (satisfaction of desires)

5 FREEDOM (freedom of thought and action)

6 SPIRITUAL LIFE (emphasis on spiritual rather than material matters)

7 SENSE OF BELONGING (feeling that others care about me)

8 SOCIAL ORDER (society stability)

9 LIFE FULL OF IMPRESSIONS (striving for novelty)

10 MEANING OF LIFE (goals in life)

11 POLITENESS (thoughtfulness, good manners)

12 WEALTH (material property, money)

13 NATIONAL SECURITY (protection of one’s nation from enemies)

14 SELF-ESTEEM (belief in one's own worth)

15 RESPECT FOR THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS (taking into account the interests of other people, avoiding confrontation)

16 CREATIVITY (uniqueness, rich imagination)

17 WORLD PEACE (freedom from war and conflict)

18 RESPECT FOR TRADITIONS (preservation of recognized traditions and customs)

19 MATURE LOVE (deep emotional and spiritual intimacy)

20 SELF-DISCIPLINE (self-restraint, resistance to temptation)

21 RIGHT TO PRIVACY (right to space)

22 FAMILY SAFETY (safety for loved ones)

23 SOCIAL RECOGNITION (approval, respect from others)

24 UNITY WITH NATURE (merging with nature)

25 CHANGING LIFE (a life filled with problems, novelty and change)

26 WISDOM (mature understanding of the world)

28 TRUE FRIENDSHIP (close friends)

29 WORLD OF BEAUTY (beauty of nature and art)

30 SOCIAL JUSTICE (correcting injustice, caring for the weak)

Now rate how important each of the following values ​​is to you: as the guiding principle of your life. These values ​​are expressed in ways of acting that may be more or less important to you. Try to differentiate the values ​​as best you can using all the numbers. First, read the values ​​in list 2, choose what is most important to you and rate it on the scale (mark 7). Then choose a value that contradicts your principles (mark - 1). If there is no such value, select the value that is least important to you and rate it with marks of 0 or 1, in accordance with its importance. Then evaluate the remaining values.

List of values ​​II:

31 INDEPENDENT (self-reliant, self-sufficient)

32 RESTRAINT (avoiding extremes in feelings and actions)

33 FAITHFUL (loyal to friends, group)

34 PURPOSE (hardworking, inspired)

35 OPEN TO OTHER OPINIONS (tolerant of different ideas and beliefs)

36 HUMBLE (simple, not seeking to attract attention)

37 BRAVE (adventurous, risk-seeking)

38 PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT (preserving nature)

39 INFLUENTIAL (having influence on people and events)

40 RESPECTING PARENTS AND ELDERS (showing respect)

41 CHOOSE YOUR OWN GOALS (selecting your own intentions)

42 HEALTHY (not physically or mentally ill)

43 CAPABLE (competent, able to act effectively)

44 ACCEPTING LIFE (submitting to life circumstances)

45 HONEST (frank, sincere)

46 PRESERVING YOUR IMAGE (protecting your own “face”)

47 OBEDIENT (executive, obeying the rules)

48 SMART (logical, thinking)

49 USEFUL (working for the benefit of others)

50 ENJOYING LIFE (enjoying food, intimacy, entertainment, etc.)

51 PIOUS (holding religious faith and belief)

52 RESPONSIBLE (reliable, trustworthy)

53 CURIOUS (interested in everything, inquisitive)

54 INCLINED TO FORGIVE (seeking to forgive another)

55 SUCCESSFUL (achieving the goal)

56 CLEAN (neat, neat)

57 Self-indulgent (doing what gives pleasure)

Second part of the questionnaire

Instructions:

Below are descriptions of some people. Please read each description and think about how similar or different each person is to you. Place a cross in one of the boxes on the right, which shows how similar the person being described is to you.

Personality Profile

Key, processing of results, interpretation of the Schwartz technique.

The technique provides a quantitative expression of the significance of each of the ten motivational types of values ​​at two levels:

• at the level of normative ideals And
• at the level of individual priorities.

The results are processed by correlating the subject's answers with the key. Corresponding key is given below (in table 2). It indicates the item numbers of both parts of the questionnaire corresponding to each type of value. The average score for a given type of value shows the degree of its importance.

When processing the first section of the questionnaire - "Reviewvalues"(level of normative ideals) - the results from lists 1 and 2 are summed up.

Before calculating the results of the second section of the questionnaire - "Personality Profile"- it is necessary to convert the questionnaire scale into points. The key for converting test takers' answers into scores is given below. in table 1.

Table 1. The number of points assigned to the items on the “Personality Profile” scale when processing the results.

During the initial processing of data for each part of the questionnaire (“Values ​​Review” and “Personality Profile”), the average score is calculated for the answers selected by the subject in accordance with the key (see table 2). Processing is carried out separately for each of the 10 types of value orientations. The value of this average score in relation to others allows one to judge the degree of importance of this type of value for the subject.

It should be noted that the data obtained from the first and second parts of the questionnaire usually do not coincide, since the value orientations of an individual at the level of normative ideals cannot always be realized in behavior due to limitations in a person’s capabilities, group pressure, adherence to certain traditions, following patterns of behavior and other reasons.

In accordance with the average score for each type of value, their ranking ratio is established. Each value type is assigned a rank from 1 to 10. The first rank is assigned to the value type that has the highest average score, the tenth rank is assigned to the value type that has the lowest average score. The rank from 1 to 3 obtained by the corresponding types of values ​​characterizes their high significance for the subject. A rank from 7 to 10 indicates the low importance of the corresponding values.

Table 2. Key for processing results

Interpretation, description of values.

Let's give short definition motivational types according to their central goal (Schwartz, 1992, 1994; Smith, Schwartz, 1997):

Power - social status, dominance over people and resources;

Achievement - personal success in accordance with social standards;

Hedonism - pleasure or sensual pleasure;

Stimulation - excitement and novelty;

Self-Direction - independence of thought and action;

Universalism - understanding, tolerance and protection of the well-being of all people and nature;

Benevolence - preserving and increasing the well-being of loved ones;

Tradition - respect and responsibility for cultural and religious customs and ideas;

Conformity - restraining actions and impulses that may harm others and do not correspond to social expectations;

Security - safety and stability of society, relationships and oneself.

Schwartz describes following characteristics these types of values.

1. Power. Operation social institutions requires a certain differentiation of statuses, and in most cases in interpersonal relationships in different cultures, a combination of indicators of Dominance - subordination was identified. The central goal of this type of value is to achieve social status or prestige, control or dominance over people and means (authority, wealth, social power, maintaining one's public image, public recognition). Power and achievement values ​​(see below) focus on social respect, but achievement values ​​(e.g., successful, ambitious) emphasize the active display of competence in face-to-face interactions, while power values ​​(authority, wealth) emphasize achieving or maintaining a dominant position in within the entire social system.

2. Achievement. The defining goal of this type of value is personal success through the manifestation of competence in accordance with social standards. The manifestation of social competence (which is the content of this value) under the conditions of dominant cultural standards entails social approval.

3. Hedonism. Motivational goal of this type defined as pleasure or sensual pleasure (pleasure, enjoyment of life).

4. Stimulation. This type of values ​​is derived from the organism's need for variety and deep experiences to maintain optimal level activity. Biologically determined variations in the need for stimulation, mediated by social experience, lead to individual differences in the importance of this value. The motivational goal of this type of value is the desire for novelty and deep experiences.

5. Self-Direction. The defining goal of this type of value is independence of thinking and choice of methods of action, creativity and research activity. Independence as a value is derived from the organismic need for self-control and self-government, as well as from the interactional needs for autonomy and independence.

6. Universalism. The motivational goal of this type of values ​​is understanding, tolerance, and protection of the well-being of all people and nature. The motivational goals of universalism are derived from those needs for the survival of groups and individuals that become clearly necessary when people come into contact with someone outside their environment or when the primary group expands.

7. Benevolence. This is a narrower “prosocial” type of value compared to universalism. Its underlying benevolence focuses on well-being in everyday interactions with loved ones. This type of value is considered to be derived from the need for positive interaction, the need for affiliation, and the need for group prosperity. Its motivational goal is to preserve the well-being of people with whom the individual is in personal contact (usefulness, loyalty, forbearance, honesty, responsibility, friendship, mature love).

8. Tradition. Any social group develops its own symbols and rituals. Their role and functioning are determined by the experience of the group and are enshrined in traditions and customs. The traditional way of behavior becomes a symbol of group solidarity, an expression of common values ​​and a guarantee of survival. Traditions most often take the form of religious rituals, beliefs and norms of behavior. The motivational goal of this value is respect, acceptance of customs and ideas that exist in culture (respect for traditions, humility, piety, acceptance of one’s fate, moderation) and following them.
9. Conformity. The defining motivational goal of this type is to restrain and prevent actions, as well as inclinations and impulses to act, that may cause harm to others or do not conform to social expectations. This value is derived from the requirement to restrain inclinations that have negative social consequences (obedience, self-discipline, politeness, respect for parents and elders).
10. Security. The motivational goal of this type is safety for other people and oneself, harmony, stability of society and relationships. It is derived from basic individual and group needs.

Suggested version of the questionnaire life values is intended to help the practical psychologist both in individual diagnosis and counseling, and in the study of various groups (work and educational teams) on problems of motivation, for a better understanding of the importance of various life spheres of activity. The technique arose as a result of the use and further improvement of I. G. Senin’s technique.

This technique was called the “Morphological Test of Life Values” (MTVT), based on the goals and objectives of the study - determining the motivational and value structure of the individual.

The main diagnostic construct of MTLC is terminal values. By the term “value” we understand the subject’s attitude to the phenomenon, life fact, object and subject, and recognition of it as important, of vital importance.

The list of life values ​​includes:

1. Self development. Those. knowledge of one's individual characteristics, constant development of one’s abilities and other personal characteristics.

2. Spiritual satisfaction, those. guidance of moral principles, the predominance of spiritual needs over material ones.

3. Creativity, those. realization of one’s creative potential, the desire to change the surrounding reality.

4. Active social contacts, those. establishing favorable relationships in various areas of social interaction, expanding one’s interpersonal connections, and realizing one’s social role.

5. Own prestige i.e., gaining recognition in society by following certain social requirements.

6. High financial position, those. appeal to the factors of material well-being as the main meaning of existence.

7. Achievement, that is, setting and solving certain life problems as the main life factors.

8. Preserving your own individuality those. the predominance of one’s own opinions, views, beliefs over generally accepted ones, protection of one’s uniqueness and independence.

Terminal values ​​are realized in different ways, in different spheres of life. The life sphere is understood as social sphere where human activity takes place. The significance of one or another sphere of life is different for different people.

List of life spheres:

1. Sphere of professional life.

2. Sphere of education.

3. Sphere of family life.

4. Sphere of social activity.

5. Hobbies.

6. Sphere of physical activity.

The questionnaire is aimed at studying individual system a person’s values ​​in order to better understand the meaning of his action or deed. A person's identity is developed in relation to the basic values ​​recognized in society. But personal values ​​may not reproduce an exact copy of public values.

The design of the questionnaire includes a scale of reliability of a person’s degree of desire for social approval of his actions. The higher the result, the more the subject’s behavior (at the verbal level) corresponds to the approved model. The critical threshold is 42 points, after which the results can be considered unreliable.

Conditions

The morphological test of life values ​​consists of 112 statements (see below), each of which the subject must evaluate using a 5-point system. Before testing begins, the subject is given the following instructions:

“You are offered a questionnaire that describes the various desires and aspirations of a person. We ask you to rate each statement on a 5-point scale as follows:

If the meaning of the statement does not matter to you, then put the number 1 in the corresponding cell of the form;

If it is of little importance to you, then put the number 2;

If it has a certain meaning for you, put the number 3;

If this is IMPORTANT for you, put the number 4;

If this is VERY IMPORTANT for you, put the number 5.

We ask you to remember that there can be no right or wrong answers here and that the most correct answer will be the truthful one. Try not to use the number “3” to evaluate a statement.

The survey must be conducted in a favorable emotional climate. The experimenter must be friendly, must be able to answer questions that arise, but not provoke a specific response from the subject to a statement. When conducting a group survey, each subject must have his own text of the questionnaire. The experimenter may read the statements out loud to the entire group. Everyone must answer individually.

The procedure for processing the results obtained

Before you begin processing the received data, you must make sure that the answer form is completely filled out.

Next, we sum up the answer points in accordance with the key. Thus, we obtain the primary test results. In the confidence scale, the sign must be taken into account when calculating. All answers with a minus sign are inverted. So, if a subject gives 5 points in response to a statement related to the reliability scale, then it corresponds to 1 point. If the subject gives 1 point for a statement with a negative meaning, then it will correspond to 5 points.

After calculations, all results are entered into a table. The proposed values ​​belong to multidirectional groups: spiritual and moral values ​​and egoistic-prestigious (pragmatic) values. This is conceptually important for determining the direction of activity of an individual or group. The first include: self-development, spiritual satisfaction, creativity and active social contacts, reflecting a moral and business orientation. Accordingly, the second subgroup of values ​​includes: prestige, achievements, financial situation, preservation of individuality. They, in turn, reflect the egoistic-prestigious orientation of the individual.

With all low values, the personality’s orientation is uncertain, without a pronounced preferred goal setting. With all the high scores, the personality’s orientation is contradictory, intra-conflict. With high scores of values ​​of the 1st group, the orientation of the individual is humanistic, and of the 2nd group - pragmatic.

For a graphical presentation of the results obtained and analysis of the relationship between values ​​within the structure of a person’s life values, there is a form-graph that allows one to establish the relationship between socially approved and socially disapproved values ​​and motives.

KEY TO MORPHOLOGICAL TEST OF LIFE VALUES (FORM A)

Text of the MTZZ questionnaire

Please evaluate your desires and aspirations that motivate You to certain

actions, on a 5-point scale, saying the phrase:

“For me now (your assessment) ... “

– if the statement DOES NOT HAVE ANY MEANING, put a number on the form "1"

– if the statement HAS A LITTLE IMPORTANCE, put a number "2"

– if the statement HAS A CERTAIN MEANING, put a number "3";

– if the statement is IMPORTANT, put a number "4";

– if the statement is VERY IMPORTANT, put a number "5" .

1. Constantly improve your professional qualifications

2. Study to learn something new in the field of knowledge being studied

3. So that the appearance of my home constantly changes

4. Communicate with different people, participate in social activities

5. So that the people I spend time with free time, were into the same thing as me

6. So that participation in sports competitions helps me set personal records

7. Feel antipathy towards others

8. Have interesting work consuming me completely

9. Create something new in the field of knowledge I am studying

10. Be a leader in my family

11. Keep up with the times, take an interest in social and political life

12. In your passion, quickly achieve your goals

13. So that physical fitness allows you to reliably perform work that gives you a good income

14. Slander when people are in trouble.

15. Study so as not to bury your talent in the ground

16. Attend concerts, theaters, and exhibitions with your family

17. Apply your own methods in social activities

18. Be a member of any club of interests

19. So that others notice my athletic fit

20. Don’t feel annoyed when someone expresses an opinion contrary to mine.

21. Invent, improve, come up with new things in your profession

22. So that my level of education allows me to feel confident in communicating with a variety of people

23. Lead a family life that is valued by society

24. Achieve specific goals by engaging in social activities

25. So that my hobby helps strengthen my financial situation

26. So that physical fitness makes me independent in all situations

27. So that family life corrects some of the shortcomings of my nature

28. Find inner satisfaction in an active social life

29. In your free time, create something new that did not exist before

30. So that my physical fitness allows me to communicate confidently in any company

31. Don’t hesitate to help someone in trouble.

32. Have friendly relations with work colleagues

33. Study to keep up with people in my circle

34. So that my children are ahead of their peers in their development

35. Receive material rewards for social activities

36. So that my hobby emphasizes my individuality

37. Develop your organizational skills by engaging in social activities

38. Focus completely on your passion by spending your free time doing hobbies.

39. Come up with new exercises for physical warm-up

40. Before a long trip, always think about what to take with you.

41. How does my work affect other people?

42. Get higher education or enroll in graduate school, get an academic degree

43. So that my family has a very high level of material well-being

44. Firmly defend a certain point of view on socio-political issues

45. Know your hobby abilities

46. ​​Enjoy even hard physical activity

47. Listen carefully to your interlocutor, no matter who he is

48. In work, quickly achieve your goals

49. So that the level of education would help me strengthen my financial situation

50. Maintain complete freedom and independence from my family members

51. So that active physical activity allows me to change my character

52. When people are in trouble, don’t think that they got what they deserved.

53. To have the opportunity to receive additional material benefits at work (bonuses, vouchers, profitable business trips, etc.)

54. Study so as not to “get lost in the crowd”

55. Stop doing something when you are not confident in your abilities

56. So that my profession emphasizes individuality

57. Study new trends in my professional activities

58. Learn while having fun

59. Constantly be interested in new methods of teaching and raising children in the family

60. When participating in public life, interact with experienced people

61. Gain respect from people through your passion

62. Always achieve the intended sports categories and titles

63. Don’t give up doing something if you don’t have confidence in your abilities.

64. Enjoy not the results of the work, but the process itself

65. Increase your level of education to make a contribution to the discipline you study.

66. So that it doesn’t matter to me that the leader in the family is someone else

67. So that my socio-political views coincide with the opinions of people who are authoritative for me

68. When doing what you love in your leisure time, think through your actions in detail.

69. By participating in various competitions, win some prize or reward

70. Don’t say unpleasant things with intent

71. Know what level of education can be achieved with my abilities in order to improve them

72. Always be absolutely reliable in marriage

73. So that the life of my surroundings constantly changes

74. Get involved in something in your free time, communicating with people who are interested in the same thing

75. Participate in sports competitions to demonstrate your superiority

76. Do not experience internal protest when I am asked to provide a favor.

77. So that the methods of my work change

78. Increase the level of your education in order to be included in the circle of smart and interesting people

79. Have a spouse from a family of high social status

80. Achieve the set goal in your social activities

81. In your hobby of creating things necessary in life (clothing, furniture, equipment, etc.)

82. So that physical training, giving freedom in movement, creates a feeling of personal freedom

83. Learn to understand the character of my spouse in order to avoid family conflicts

84. Be useful to society

85. Make various improvements in the field of my hobby

86. To have many friends among the members of my sports section (club, team)

87. Pay close attention to how I dress

88. To constantly have the opportunity to communicate with colleagues while working

89. So that the level of my education matches the level of education of the person whose opinion I value

90. Plan your family life carefully

91. Occupy a place in society that would strengthen my financial position

92. So that my views on life are manifested in my passion

93. Engage in social activities, learn to convince people of your point of view

94. Let my hobby take up most of my free time

95. So that my invention manifests itself even in morning exercises

96. Always willing to admit your mistakes

97. So that my work is at the level and even better than others

98. So that the level of my education would help me get the desired position

99. So that the spouse receives a high salary

100. Have your own political opinions

101. So that the circle of my hobbies constantly expands

102. Have, first of all, moral satisfaction from the success achieved in sports

103. Don’t come up with a good reason to justify yourself.

104. Before starting work, plan it clearly

105. So that my education provides the opportunity to receive additional material benefits (fees, benefits)

106. In family life, rely only on your own views, even if they contradict public opinion

107. Spend a lot of time reading literature, watching sports programs and films

108. Don’t envy others’ luck

109. Have a well-paid job

110. Choose a rare, unique specialty to study in order to better express your individuality

111. Conduct yourself at the table at home the same way as in public

112. So that my work does not contradict my life principles

DATA INTERPRETATION

1. Interpretation of data on scales of life values

Self development

(+) A person’s desire to receive objective information about the characteristics of his character, abilities, and other characteristics of his personality. The desire for self-improvement, while believing that a person’s potential capabilities are almost unlimited and that first of all in life it is necessary to achieve their fullest realization Serious attitude to one’s duties, competence in business. Condescension towards people and their shortcomings and demandingness towards oneself.

(-) Tendency towards self-sufficiency. Such people, as a rule, set a threshold for their capabilities and believe that it is impossible to overcome. They are touchy when making a negative assessment of them, their characteristics or personal qualities, and show indifference to the assessment.

Spiritual satisfaction

(+) A person’s desire to obtain moral satisfaction in all areas of life. Such people believe, as a rule, that the most important thing in life is to do only what is interesting and what brings inner satisfaction. Idealism in their views, commitment to compliance with ethical standards in behavior and detail.

(-) Workshop. Search for specific benefits from mutual relationships and performance results. Cynicism, disregard for public opinion, social norms

Creativity

(+) A person’s desire to realize his creative potential, to make various changes in all areas of his life. The desire to avoid stereotypes and diversify your life. Such people get tired of the dimensional course of their lives and always try to bring something new into it. Characterized by ingenuity and passion in the most ordinary situations

(-) Suppression of creative inclinations, stereotypical behavior and activities. Conservatism, following already established norms and values. The absence of the usual is annoying. Possible nostalgia for earlier times

(+) A person’s desire to establish favorable relationships with other people. For such people, as a rule, all aspects of human relationships are significant; they are often convinced that the most valuable thing in life is the opportunity to communicate and interact with other people. They are often friendly, sociable, easy-going, empathetic, socially active

(-) Indecisiveness in communicating with strangers, lack of spontaneity in speaking, distrust of other people, reluctance to be open

Own prestige

(+) A person’s desire for recognition, respect, approval from others, usually the most significant persons, to whose opinion he listens to the greatest extent and whose opinion he is guided, first of all, in his judgments, actions and views. Needs social approval of his behavior. Arrogant, categorical in situations of interaction with people dependent on him. Ambitious.

(-) A person does not see the difference in the approval of his actions by people with different social statuses. Compliant, avoids failures and conflicts. Deprived of claims to leader status.

Achievements

(+) A person’s desire to achieve specific and tangible results in different periods of life. Such people, as a rule, carefully plan their lives, setting specific goals at each stage and believing that the main thing is to achieve these goals. Often a large number of Life achievements serve as the basis for high self-esteem for such people.

(-) Indifference to achievement. Dependence on how external situations develop The main credo is “Wait and see.” Such people are often distinguished by setting immediate, specific goals. Sometimes they show powerlessness in the desire to achieve some long-term goal

(+) A person’s desire for the highest possible level of his material well-being, the conviction that material wealth is the main condition for well-being in life. A high level of material well-being for such people is often the basis for the development of a sense of self-worth and increased self-esteem

(-) Indifference to material wealth. Ignoring material wealth as a value to which one must strive. Sometimes characterized by a tendency towards marginality

(+) A person’s desire for independence from other people. Such people. as a rule, they believe that the most important thing in life is to preserve the uniqueness and originality of their personality, their views, beliefs, their lifestyle, trying to succumb as little as possible to the influence of mass trends. They often do not trust authorities. A clear manifestation of such traits as a high level of self-esteem is possible , conflict, behavioral deviation

(-) The desire for conformity, isolation, the main thing is not to be a “black sheep.” Such people believe that “upstarts” are ill-mannered people from whom unpredictable actions can be expected. Such people do not like to take responsibility

2. Interpretation of data on scales of life spheres

Sphere of professional life

(+) High importance for a person of the sphere of his professional activity. They devote a lot of time to their work, are involved in solving all production problems, while believing that professional activity is the main content of human life

(+) A person’s desire to improve their level of education and broaden their horizons. They believe that the main thing in life is to study and gain new knowledge.

Sphere of family life

(+) The high importance for a person of everything connected with the life of his family; they devote a lot of effort and time to solving the problems of their family, believing that the main thing in life is the well-being of the family

Sphere of public life

(+) High significance for a person of the problems of social life. Such people are involved in social and political life, believing that the most important thing for a person is his political convictions

Hobbies

(+) High significance for a person of his hobbies and hobbies. Such people devote all their free time to their hobby and believe that without passion a person’s life is in many ways incomplete

Sphere of physical activity

(+) Reflects the importance of physical activity and physical culture as an element

general culture for humans. Such people believe that physical education is necessary to harmonize a person’s life, that it is necessary to be able to alternate intellectual activity with physical activity, that beauty and external attractiveness are often associated with in a healthy way life, with physical education and sports

(-) In all areas, it speaks of the insignificance or low significance of these areas for individuals. This is often associated with the age period of life and the degree of satisfaction of certain needs

3. Interpretation of data on value scales within life spheres

Sphere of professional life

Self development

(+) Striving for the fullest realization of one’s abilities in the professional field. life and to improve their qualifications Interest in information about their profs. abilities and opportunities for their development Demanding demands on oneself and one’s profs. responsibilities

(-) This indicator characterizes individuals who strive to limit their activity. When any significant results are achieved, they immediately calm down and prefer to “rest on their laurels.” They are often touchy when their professional abilities are negatively assessed

Spiritual satisfaction

(+) The desire to have an interesting, meaningful job or profession. Such people are characterized by a desire to penetrate as deeply as possible into the subject of work, receiving moral satisfaction from the work process itself and, to a lesser extent, from the result of the work.

(-) The desire for pragmatism, the search for specific benefits from professional activities. Sometimes such people are openly cynical and openly talk about their mercantile interests in the situation of performing any operations or types of professional activities.

Creativity

(+) The desire to introduce an element of creativity into the scope of one’s professional activity. A person quickly becomes bored with the usual ways of organization and methods of work. Such people are characterized by a constant desire to contribute to their work. various changes and improvements. As a rule, these are people who are passionate and inventive.

(-) Striving for conservatism, stability, following job descriptions. Any innovations in the field of methods and organization of activities of such people, as a rule, irritate and cause reluctance to work.

Active social contacts

(+) The desire for collegiality in work, delegation of authority, establishment of favorable relationships with work colleagues. The importance of the factors of the socio-psychological climate of the team and the atmosphere of trust are characteristic.

(-) The desire to individualize activities Lack of trust in relationships with members of the work team, the desire to maintain relationships within a purely corporate framework. Such people do not support their colleagues in situations where this is necessary. They hold opinions - every man for himself.

Own prestige

(+) A person’s desire to have a socially approved job or profession A person, as a rule, is interested in the opinions of other people regarding his work and profession and strives to achieve recognition in society by choosing the most socially approved job or profession

(-) Due to various circumstances, he chooses a job and profession that is determined by his desire and abilities and other internal characteristics, or an external unfavorable situation, “just something”

Achievements

(+) The desire to achieve competitive and tangible results in one’s professional activities. often to improve self-esteem. Such people are often characterized by careful planning of all work and receiving satisfaction not from the process, but from the result of the activity

(-) Depending on other indicators (for example, spiritual satisfaction, creativity or self-development), this assessment characterizes a person either passionate about the work process, not caring about his own achievements, or a person with shortcomings in the volitional sphere

High financial position

(+) The desire to have a job or profession that guarantees a high salary and other types of material well-being. Tendency to change job or specialty if it does not bring the desired level of material well-being

(-) The choice of profession is associated either with the idealistic orientation of the individual, with his creativity, determination, associated with moral satisfaction from his work, or with far-reaching prospects for the future, associated with his own prestige or achievements (high rates for these values)

Preserving your own individuality

(+) The desire to “stand out from the crowd” through their professional activities. Such people try to have a job or profession that could emphasize individual originality and originality (for example, choose an unusual, rare profession)

(-) The desire to find a job and a specialty that will provide security of existence (“a bird in the hand is better”) Such people believe that a profession is a sign of stability, and work is not the main place where it is necessary to assert oneself and express oneself

Sphere of training and education

Self development

(+) The desire to improve the level of one’s education for the sake of developing oneself as an individual and one’s abilities. Such people are characterized by an interest in assessing themselves as individuals and their knowledge, skills, and abilities. An attempt to change for the better.

(-) The desire to obtain a certain result indicating the achievement of a certain level of education, or complete disregard for education as a factor contributing to self-development

Spiritual satisfaction

(+) The desire to learn as much as possible about the discipline being studied, as a result - to receive moral satisfaction. People are distinguished by a highly developed cognitive need, a desire to improve the level of their education

(-) Characterized by low cognitive activity due to the lack of a cognitive motive, the desire to achieve a specific, purely practical result.

Creativity

(+) The desire to find something new in the discipline being studied, to make a contribution to a certain area of ​​knowledge. Characterizes the desire to answer those questions that are controversial and unknown in a given science (participation in the work of scientific societies. in scientific experiments etc.)

(-) The desire to learn the basic material in the discipline being studied and excel within a given framework. Such people often demonstrate stereotypical timing of certain problems, inflexibility, and inability to deviate from the pattern

Social contacts

(+) The desire to identify oneself with a certain social group The desire to achieve a certain level of education in order to enter into close contacts with representatives of a given social group.

(-) The desire to limit any contacts, regardless of belonging to a particular social group.

Own prestige

(+) A person’s desire to have a level of education that is highly valued by society. Such people are interested in other people's opinions regarding their education or their desire to achieve a certain level of education.

(-) Indifference to the goals of training and education. Such people try to find the support of others like them, who maintain the opinion that what is important is not education (more precisely, its level), but some other characteristics of a person, his skills.

Achievements

(+) The desire to achieve both a specific result of one’s educational process (diploma, dissertation defense) and other life goals, the achievement of which depends on the level of education. The desire to carefully plan everything at each stage, to increase one’s self-esteem.

(-) The desire for self-sufficiency in the field of education at any stage of the life path associated with other life goals and high self-esteem.

High financial position

(+) The desire to achieve a level of education that will allow one to have a high salary and other types of material benefits. The desire to improve the level of one’s education, to choose an educational institution if the existing state of affairs does not bring the desired material well-being.

(-) The desire in the field of education to achieve goals other than material ones. Most often, the indicator is associated with the idealistic orientation of the individual and the current external situation (for example, they were forced to study).

Preserving your own individuality

(+) The desire to build the educational process so that it best suits all the characteristics of the individual. The desire to be original and demonstrate one’s life principles. Characterized by exaltation in behavior.

(-) The desire for conflict, “like everyone else, so do I,” the main thing is to excel on time and not be a lagging student, student, etc.

Sphere of family life

Self development

(+) The desire to change for the better various features your character, your personality in family life Interest in information and assessment of your personal characteristics.

(-) Desire to consolidate one’s own positions in the family Reluctance to correct those personal characteristics that cause concern to family members

Spiritual satisfaction

(+) The desire for deep mutual understanding with all family members, spiritual closeness with them. In marriage, true love is valued and considered the main condition for family well-being.

(-) The desire to have a family, to have everything like everyone else, or no worse than others. They are building a marriage of convenience. A marriage contract is the key to the existence of a family.

Creativity

(+) The desire for all kinds of changes in their family life and introducing something new into it. Such people try to diversify the life of their family (change the decor in the apartment, come up with a family vacation and so on.)

(-) Striving to preserve conservative traditions, norms and rules of family life

Active social contacts

(+) The desire for a certain structure of relationships in the family, for each family member to occupy some social position and perform strictly defined functions. Active ones are valued verbal methods raising children and interaction for the purpose of mutual understanding between family members

(-) The desire for individuality in the family A purely consumerist attitude is possible in order to satisfy one’s needs. In such a family there is no differentiation of social roles and functions

Own prestige

(+) The desire to build your family life in such a way as to ensure recognition from others Interest in opinions about various aspects of your family life

(-) Does not need approval for his actions in the family sphere. Sometimes the insignificance of an indicator indicates the insignificance of this area

Achievements

(+) The desire for that. in order to achieve any real results in family life (teach children to write as early as possible) Interest in information about the family life of other people in order to compare the weight of the achievements of one’s family and other families

(-) The desire to cede activity in achieving results to other people to other family members, etc. Indifference to the results in one’s family, lack of interest in the experience of other families

High financial position

(+) Striving for the highest level of material wealth for one’s family. Such people believe that family well-being lies, first of all, in the well-being of the family

(-) Ignoring material wealth as a value to which family members should strive. Tendency to search for other foundations that unite the family

Preserving your own individuality

(+) The desire to build one’s life, focusing only on one’s own views, desires and convictions. Efforts to maintain one’s independence even from members of one’s family (Sometimes due to the negative experience of one’s generalized family)

(“) The desire to build a collectivist family based on mutual understanding and interdependence

Sphere of public life

Self development

(+) The desire to realize and develop one’s abilities in the sphere of social and political life as fully as possible. A special interest in information about one’s abilities and capabilities in this area with a view to their further improvement. The desire for a new ideal.

(-) The desire to achieve any success in this area by minimizing costs on one’s part. Demanding respect for oneself as one is. Such people believe that it is necessary to adapt to circumstances rather than waste time on improvement.

Spiritual satisfaction

(+) The desire for moral satisfaction from the process of one’s social activities

(-) The desire to obtain practical benefits from the results of one’s social political activity, and try to achieve this result by any means

Creativity

(+) The desire to add variety to one’s social activities. Such people quickly respond to any changes occurring in social and political life. When engaged in social activities, they try to change the usual methods of carrying them out, to introduce something new

(-) The desire for stability, inviolability of positions, so as not to break the well-functioning mechanism of holding a socio-political event in everyday life

Active social contacts

(+) The desire to realize one’s social orientation through active social life The desire to occupy a place in the structure of public life that would provide closer contact with a certain circle of people and would provide the opportunity to interact with them in public life

(-) Lack of interest in a wide range of social contacts in the sphere of socio-political life due to various circumstances, both personal characteristics (isolation, conflict, suspicion and distrust of people), and the externally developing social situation

Own prestige

(+) The desire to adhere to the most common views on social and political life. Active participation in conversations on social and political topics, expressing, as a rule, not one’s own opinion, but the opinions of one’s authorities.

(-) Striving for depoliticization Ignoring authorities in socio-political life Distrust of people’s objectivity in socio-political issues

Achievements

(+) The desire to achieve, first of all, real and concrete results in their socio-political life, often for the sake of increasing their self-esteem People of this type clearly plan their social work, set specific goals at each stage and strive to achieve them by any means. Careerism in the best sense contributes to the effectiveness of activities in this area. Careerism in a negative sense - obtaining results at the expense of others, by suppressing other people's interests

(-) Characterizes a lack of determination in this area. Reluctance to realize oneself as public figure. Independence in terms of self-esteem Disinterest in others' authoritative opinions regarding one's abilities

High financial position

(+) The desire to engage in social and political activities for the sake of material rewards for them Active participation in events if they can bring monetary rewards and other types of material well-being

(-) Desire for social and political activity as a matter of restoring social justice, contempt for monetary reward in a noble cause

Preserving your own individuality

(+) The desire not to fall under the influence of the socio-political views of other people. The price is that socio-political position that no one except him occupies, and often no socio-political views matter. Perhaps a condescending or even approving attitude towards all kinds of informal, scandalous organizations

(-) The desire not to stand out in one’s socio-political views from the opinion of the majority, to support the official point of view. The position of “being like everyone else” is the main position in this area.

Hobbies

Self development

(+) A person’s desire to use his hobby to better realize his potential. Such people, as a rule, are not limited to just one type of hobby and try to try their hand at various activities.

(-) Lack of desire to get involved in anything in order to expand your horizons, abilities, and skills. Such people, as a rule, have a hobby at the level of attraction and engage in it irregularly or consider it purely theoretically

Spiritual satisfaction

(+) A person’s desire to have a hobby to which he can devote all his free time, trying to penetrate deeper into the very subject of the hobby. Gaining satisfaction from the process of one’s activity rather than from its results. Humanistic orientation of the individual.

(-) Striving for pragmatic goals of various kinds in one’s hobby.

Creativity

(+) A person’s desire to get involved in an activity that provides wide

opportunities for creativity, adding variety to your hobby. There are obvious efforts to change something in the subject of your passion, to introduce something new into it

(-) Suppression of creative inclinations, the desire to do everything according to the model, without introducing anything new when creating objects of one’s passion.

Active social contacts

(+) The desire to realize one’s social orientation through one’s hobby The tendency to get involved in activities that are collective in nature The desire to find like-minded people and interact with them in one’s hobby

(-) Striving for individual tendencies in hobbies. Reluctance to enter into active social contacts regarding leisure and hobbies. Often, indecisiveness and doubt in one’s abilities interfere with contacts with strangers who have the same hobbies as the person in question.

Own prestige

(+) The desire in his free time to do things that can serve as the basis for his high assessment by other people The desire to be guided by the opinions of people significant to him, how to spend his free time (vacation, leisure hours, hobbies), and spend it the way they do .

(-) The desire to rely only on one’s own opinion regarding how to spend one’s free time is often associated with inflated self-esteem and ignoring authorities

Achievements

(+) A person’s desire to set specific goals in the area of ​​his passion and achieve them. Characterized by an interest in information about the achievements of other people in their hobbies in order to make sure that they are no worse, and perhaps better than others.

(-) Self-sufficiency. Lack of interest in other people's opinions, lack of planning and achieving certain goals in your hobby

High financial position

(+) The desire to do things in your free time that can bring material benefits. Hobbies are purely pragmatic in nature (for example, hobby products can be sold, exchanged, etc.)

(-) The desire to do things in your free time that provide relaxation from everyday worries, aesthetic pleasure, and moral satisfaction.

Preserving your own individuality

(+) A person’s desire for a hobby to help emphasize and express his individuality. Passion for some very rare, unusual activities, to create things that no one else has.

(-) The desire to follow in hobbies the fashion characteristic of society at the moment The desire to identify oneself with others and to be satisfied with what one has, like everyone else

Sphere of physical activity

Self development

(+) The desire to improve one’s physical form, interest in information from other people about one’s abilities and physical capabilities. Critical self-assessment in this area

(-) Reluctance to listen to other people’s critical assessment of their abilities and capabilities in this area. Self-sufficiency Comparing yourself with other people physical development which are lower than those this person and, on this basis, complacency, reluctance to be active in improving one’s physical abilities.

Spiritual satisfaction

(+) The desire to choose a type of physical activity that would bring moral satisfaction. Getting more pleasure from the process of your activity than from obtaining results in this activity

(-) The desire to find practical benefits from sports and other types of physical activity. Ignoring ethical and aesthetic feelings that arise in the process of physical education

Creativity

(+) The desire to add variety to one’s physical education and sports activities, to introduce originality into a set of exercises and training.

(-) The desire for stability and familiarity in one’s activities in this area. Reluctance to change anything. Irritation by the non-standard situation of games and competitions A clear separation of the concepts “by the rules” and “not by the rules”

Active social contacts

(+) Desire for team sports, group training Gaining satisfaction from training in a group of acquaintances, teammates, section, sport Even a morning jog next to a stranger brightens up the time.

(-) Desire for individual sports, for individual classes in the field of physical education. Such people do not see the need to exchange words during sports; they seem unnecessary to them.

Own prestige

(+) The desire to be the best in terms of one’s physical characteristics in the eyes of authoritative people. The desire to achieve recognition of one’s successes and approval from people with high status and a high level of competence in this field.

(-) Lack of desire for approval of one’s abilities in the field of physical activity. A person does not pretend to be respected for his sporting merits or physical data. Often, sports are completely absent from the life of such a person.

Achievements

(+) Striving for a significant result, planning in advance your activities in the field of physical activity Interest in information about what successes others have, and the desire to increase their own Determination and entrepreneurship in this area are characteristic

(-) Characterizes a person with a great desire to achieve the goal of having significant results in the field of physical activity, but powerlessness in the pursuit of achieving them. Often self-sufficient, does not need achievements in this area

High financial position

(+) The desire to achieve material benefits from one’s activities in the field of physical education and sports, physical endurance, and performance

(-) Ignoring material assets, especially if they are given by hard physical labor. Such people believe that health must be protected, and physical labor does not justify the acquired material wealth

Preserving your own individuality

(+) The desire to engage in a type of physical activity that helps express a person’s individuality. Passion for rare sports. In the process of training, they may be stubborn in order to stand out from others, reluctance to work in a team, in a group for the same purpose

Today I offer you a technique with which you can determine your own value scale and understand what it means to “live in accordance with your values.”

Human values:

√ this is what underlies life motivation,

√ this is what we are ready to make efforts for,

√ this is what gives us energy and resources.

Although most of our values ​​are quite stable, however turning points happen in the life of every person. During these periods there is a revaluation of values ​​and life priorities are changing. If you suddenly begin to notice that what used to bring joy and satisfaction has now ceased to interest you, the pleasure and motivation to do it have disappeared - it’s time to examine your values.

♦ Understanding your values ​​helps you make important life decisions.

♦ You stop unconsciously sacrificing what you really want.

♦ You begin to devote your attention, time and energy to what can truly bring you joy and satisfaction.

Below I have given an approximate list of human values:

Family
Safety
Work/Career/Professionalism
Health (physical and mental)
Caring/Serving
Confidence
Interest in knowledge (general culture, intellectual development, laws of life)
Liberty
Material security/Prosperity/Abundance
Self-confidence/High self-esteem/Self-worth
Love (spiritual and physical)
Friendship/Loyalty/Reliability/Mutual assistance
Wisdom/Spirituality/Internal culture/Harmony
Responsibility/Independence
Social Recognition/Respect/Fame/Success
Fun and entertainment/Adventure
Need for creativity/hobbies
Beauty/Aesthetics

Take pieces of paper and write down one value on each of them. In those lines where several similar values ​​are listed, choose the one that is closer to you personally. In addition, you can add your own values ​​if you did not find them in the proposed list, but they are important to you.

Now you need to arrange the values ​​in place: from the first most important for you today, and then, in descending order of importance, to the very last. Move the leaves until you get a clear sequence that completely satisfies you.

If you find it difficult to choose from two values ​​the one that is most important to you, use one of two methods.

Method 1. Logical.

Ask yourself this question: If I were asked to choose only one thing, what would I be willing to give up in life? What remains is more important to you now.

Method 2. Intuitive.

Close your eyes. Mentally imagine the first value in the palm of one hand, and the second value in the palm of the other. “Weigh” them: which one is more significant for you? Don't think at this moment! Focus completely on the sensations. What is more significant is more important for you now.

Take 3-5 of the most important, priority values ​​from your list. Now describe each of them, what it means to you personally.

For example:

Responsibility is when I...

Family for me is first and foremost...

You only need to write about what you want. Therefore, exclude the particle “not” from the description.

After you've done this, ask yourself these questions:

How will I understand what there is in my life... (value)?!

What will I see then? What I feel? What do I do then?

And so on for each of your priority values. In this way, you create a vision of your life in which you live in accordance with your values.

Now write down the practical steps, your action plan for the next month:

What do I want to do to add more... (value) to my life?

Through which practical actions and solutions can I realize my life priorities?

This exercise should be done slowly, thoughtfully, coordinating each choice with your feelings. Then, as a result, you will have the feeling that now everything has fallen into place, clarity and satisfaction from the work done will come.

You will understand what you really want and what is really important to you.

You will understand the difference between living by “rational” reasoning and living by your values. In the first case, you live “correctly”, and in the second - happily!

I wish you to find your main values ​​and be happy!

1. In the textbook, on p. 101, a fragment of V. Veresaev’s story “Legend” is given. Briefly formulate the rule (principle) of attitude towards the surrounding life expressed in this story.

If you find it difficult to complete the task, choose which of the formulations proposed below more accurately reflects the principle expressed in the fragment of the story “Legend”. Why this one?

A) Live the way you want.
B) Live in such a way that others around you feel good.
B) Live in such a way as not to harm other people.
D) Live in such a way as to benefit the world around you.
D) Live the way you like, as long as no one bothers you.

2. Remember the children's fairy tale about the Ryaba Hen. What do you think Grandfather and Baba cried over in the fairy tale?
Write a short parable about this.

The egg as a symbol of happiness or life in general. The chicken gave them a gift that was too “rich” for them. Which they didn't know what to do with. We tried to act based on our understanding and our usual life positions(break), but nothing came of it. And so this gift left them (the mouse broke it). And although the gift was not the right size for them, they were still upset that they had lost it.

3. It is known that in ancient societies the oldest members of the clan enjoyed special respect. What explains this attitude?

The elders were experienced and wise accordingly. they saw a lot, accumulated a huge amount of knowledge about this world, about people. They also had experience communicating with members of society, which means that they had good communication skills, perhaps even foresaw something, and were well aware of family and cause-and-effect relationships.

4. Imagine that the characters in the painting “Everything is in the Past” have come to life (see the “Picture Gallery” section for §12).

Old lady (with a thoughtful look, looking somewhere into the distance):

Just like before, 40 years ago, it was good! Balls, evenings, a house full of guests, music, dancing, hunting seasons, how I loved this season, daddy had a lot of purebred dogs, I loved playing with them so much, they had such soft beautiful fur, although daddy tore a lot of serfs to the dogs were in perfect condition. How beautiful this garden was, how the trees bloomed (the peasants reaped a good harvest), and the house - my father and mother, my great-grandfathers, lived in this house. My childhood, my whole life passed on this estate... Decades have passed since then, but for me it’s like everything was yesterday... Now the house is boarded up, the garden has become decrepit, just like me, you (addressing his old, devoted ex serf peasant), this half-dead dog. Where has youth gone, the old days, huh? I’m asking you, Praskovya!

Praskovya (former serf):

My lady, Sofya Andreevna, as long as I know... hm... It's windy outside, it's getting cool, Sofya Andreevna, you should dress warmer. Would you please tell me to bring you a woolen shawl?

Old lady:

Don't bother me, Praskovya! And I'm sick without you...

Praskovya:

I beg your pardon, lady, I’m such an old fool, I’m weak, and apparently my mind has become weak... Eh, old age, my age is passing, hm... Sofya Andreevna, would you like me to serve you some tea before the samovar gets cold?

Old lady:

No need for tea. I will order it myself when I need it, shut up, your chatter gives me a headache!

Praskovya (muttering to herself):

You should bring an umbrella for Ms., you can’t predict the weather, and if it rains... Oh, my old age, my old age...

5. Make your own scale of human values, placing on it under number 1 what you value most in people. Next, in descending order, indicate the importance of other valuable qualities.

1. Law-abiding; 2. Loyalty; 3. Honesty; 4. Kindness; 5. Sound mind; 6. Appearance; 7. Good nature; 8. Friendliness; 9. Cheerfulness; 10. Friendliness.

6. Draw a sketch of a greeting card for the Day of the Elderly.

7. Which position is closer to you? Explain why.

A) Humanity is the ability to participate in the fate of other people (I. Kant).

B) Humanity in a person is the result of recollection of suffering, which is familiar to him either from his own experience or from the experience of other people (C. Helvetius).

A person’s life is an absolute value, but the value of this value, what we call the content of the meaning of life, consists not in the number of years lived, but in what fills this life and what is determined by the value systems of the individual’s “I”. These attitudes (landmarks) allow for comparison, as a result of which a certain scale of these attitudes is developed in a community of people, according to which the meanings of life of all members of this community are “distributed”. Moreover, the wider the community, the closer it is to humanity as a whole, the more adequately this scale of values ​​reflects creative and destructive tendencies in society, which are not always recognized by people as such in a specific community of people, say, in an ethnic group, in a community of co-religionists, etc. . d. The processes of globalization clearly work towards the primacy of a universal scale of values, although real life individuals are almost always “squeezed” into the narrow framework of certain specific communities with a corresponding scale of life values ​​corresponding to each of them. Those who tried or are trying to go beyond these boundaries are sentenced by their contemporaries to a poisoned cup of wine, like Socrates, to crucifixion, like Jesus, declared crazy, like Chaadaev, branded with the nicknames of renegades and dissidents, enemies of the people, destroyed in prisons and camps, deported from a country like in the Soviet Empire, etc.

It seems to me that an imaginary, but nevertheless existing universal scale of values ​​that have meaningful life significance reflects the very history of the formation and evolution of human civilization, since new, higher marks, “risks” appear on this scale from time to time. This scale begins with marks that correspond to the values ​​of “verbal animals,” according to the figurative and precise expression of the Pskov chronicler. Below these marks there are no values, there is no person, there is no meaning in life.

It is not by chance that I called the universal human scale of meaningful life values ​​imaginary, but existing. Indeed, this scale is not a ruler that can be “applied” to a person, to his life. Fortunately, humanity has not yet invented such a “Procrustean” ruler, and God forbid if it does. What is important here is not the millimeters of reference, but the fundamental recognition of the fact that in society there is a certain hierarchy of values, and people have always been attracted by the search for the highest values ​​of life. The solution to the problem of the meaning of life most often meant the discovery and justification of such values; powerful philosophical and religious teachings. Plato has this doctrine of unconditional good; Aristotle has the ethics of virtues, which he included wisdom, prudence, courage, and justice; Augustine Aurelius - the doctrine of divine grace; in I. Kant - the ethics of duty (the doctrine of moral maxims); N. Berdyaev has a philosophy of love; V modern philosophy- ethics of responsibility, etc. There are other, less definite and well-founded, but no less interesting solutions to the problem of higher values ​​and the meaning of life. Thus, the famous humanist A. Schweitzer put forward a thesis opposite to Descartes’s - “I think, therefore I exist”: “I am life that wants to live among life that wants to live,” from which he derived his basic ethical principle - “reverence for life."

What I call the “scale of values” is a scale of comparisons, i.e. a product of people’s mental activity, this also applies to the highest meaningful values ​​in life. The question can be posed like this: do the highest meaningful values ​​in life have objective content, or are they, from beginning to end, a figment of the imagination of brilliant thinkers? We, in fact, have already answered this question: the objective content of the highest life values ​​is such human activity that coincides with the creative tendencies in human society.