In a separate study Christopher Peterson and Katherine Dahlsgaard identified six virtues endorsed across the thinking of many philosophers, religious leaders, statesmen, and other ancient and modern luminaries from around the world. These virtues are: Wisdom and knowledge, courage, love and humanity, justice, temperance, and spirituality and transcendence. Martin Seligman uses these as the basis for identifying signature strengths.

Perhaps you believe these values provide an excellent standard for judging right and wrong, or good and bad. Perhaps you believe something else.

Definitions

Values:

A principle considered worthwhile or valuable. A standard of judgment or appraisal.

Belief:

A statement, assertion, or theory you accept as true.

Myths and Misconceptions:

1. I had no choice.
2. He made me do it.
3. That's just how I am.
4. It's all my parent's fault.
5. If we don't talk about it the issue will disappear.
6. The past constrains the future.

My Values

My Beliefs

Here are some of my present beliefs. They are likely to change as I continue to learn more. What do you believe? Why?

1. Empathy, Ethics, and Ethical Behavior (value)
   1. Every human life is precious and unique and is worth living to the fullest, here and now.
      1. The inherent dignity of each person establishes basic entitlements that are the unalienable birthright of every human.
      2. All of history is the quest for dignity.
      3. Time has value
   2. A complete and socially valuable code of ethics can be developed based (entirely) on the principle of empathy.
2. Creativity and innovation.
   1. Innovation creates value.
3. Authentic Happiness,
4. Congruence (value),
5. Integration,
6. The self determination theory,
7. Parsimony, simplicity, elegance (values)
8. Meritocracy,
9. Honor (value),
10. Context
11. Tranquility (value)
12. Sobriety (value)
    1. Drugs, tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and refined sugar contaminate the body and cloud the mind.
13. Responsibility (value),
    1. You are responsible for keeping your promises and commitments. Do what you say!
    2. I am responsible for my actions. You are responsible for your actions. I am not responsible for your actions. You are not responsible for my actions.
    3. With great power there must also come great responsibility.
    4. Authentic authority must be aligned with the corresponding responsibility.
    5. Freedom of speech focuses the responsibility for what you choose to say clearly on you.
    6. Autonomy is essential for responsibility.
14. Justice (value),
15. Decision making based on data (value)
16. Clear thinking, valid logic, objective evidence, and the scientific method (value)
    1. A discussion that encourages  inquiry and follows the fair rules of evidence and argument, including logic and the scientific method, is more valuable than fallacies, distortions, or any other mistake in reasoning.
    2. The universe becomes more fascinating and awe-inspiring the more closely and carefully it is examined.
    3. Knowing yourself is an essential step toward understanding others.
    4. Cause and effect.
    5. Operational definitions are the most precise.
    6. The laws of physics.
    7. The
    8. The theory of evolution
       1. The theory of the selfish gene.
       2. Human universals

Professed Beliefs and Actual Beliefs

We can only determine what some else professes to believe. We can never know what they truly believe.

References:

Shared Values for a Troubled World: Conversations With Men and Women of Conscience, by Rushworth M. Kidder

Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment, by Martin Seligman