Universal values form the foundation for moral and ethical judgments, distinguishing right from wrong. Failure to adhere to these values is viewed as a breach of morality and ethics.
The gruesome barbaric attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 by Hamas terrorists needs to be condemned by all. Many celebrated the attack, even though it involved the gruesome killing of the elderly, raping of women, parading them naked and beheading of children. No state can remain a mute spectator to this. Where were the wokes, the peacefuls and the human rights lobby then? There was silence of the graveyard. Let me congratulate PM Modi for the courageous stand of supporting peace and order against terror where rape, loot and plunder are being normalized. This war is about order versus terror. These people tell us that Terror has no religion. Then why is there support to terror groups? Indiscriminate violence and barbarity cannot be part of any peaceful religions. Then there are issues of interpreting values; are values universal or unique?
Values, defined as “desirable, trans situational goals, varying in importance, that serve as guiding principles in people’s lives” play a pivotal role in shaping human behaviour and societal norms. However, the landscape of values is intricate, marked by universal principles, objections to their universality, and the nuanced use of values in different contexts. Universality in values involves shared core principles across diverse cultures, societies, and historical periods. Isaiah Berlin’s perspective emphasizes that universal values are held by many individuals across various situations, consciously or expressed in behaviour. Amartya Sen offers an alternative lens, suggesting universality when all people have a reason to believe a value is valuable.
Universal values form the foundation for moral and ethical judgments, distinguishing right from wrong. Failure to adhere to these values is viewed as a breach of morality and ethics. The existence of universal values sparks debates in moral philosophy and cultural anthropology. The transcendence of cultural, religious, and geographical boundaries characterizes these values. Samuel Huntington’s influential thesis on the “Clash of Civilizations” adds a layer to the discourse on universal values. Huntington suggests cultural and civilizational differences will be the primary sources of conflict in the post-Cold War world. This challenges the assumption of universal values, proposing a world where distinct civilizations have divergent values and interests. He believes that some of the factors contributing to this conflict are that both Christianity (upon which Western civilization is based) and Islam are missionary religions, seeking conversion of others and Universal, “all-or-nothing” religions, in the sense that it is believed by both sides that only their faith is the correct one. These teleological religions represent the goals of existence and purpose in human existence.
More recent factors contributing to a Western-Islamic clash, Huntington wrote, are the Islamic resurgence and demographic explosion in Islam, coupled with the values of Western universalism—that is, the view that all civilizations should adopt Western values—that infuriate Islamic fundamentalists. All these historical and modern factors combined, Huntington wrote briefly in his Foreign Affairs article and in much more detail in his 1996 book, would lead to a bloody clash between the Islamic and Western civilizations. Core state conflicts can arise out of fault line conflicts when core states become involved. Huntington suggests cultural and civilizational differences will be the primary sources of conflict in the post-Cold War world. This challenges the assumption of universal values, proposing a world where distinct civilizations have divergent values and interests.
Moral relativism opposes the concept of universal moral values, asserting that moral principles are context-dependent. Aesthetic relativism extends beyond aesthetics, challenging the universality of values within different cultural norms. The universal values are justice that emphasizes fairness, impartiality, and equitable resource distribution. It guides ethical judgments and interventions promoting equality. Promotes empathy and kindness, particularly towards those in need. It is essential in designing interventions that enhance social support networks. It acknowledges the intrinsic value of all living beings and guides behaviours prioritizing environmental care and well-being. Finally, integrity emphasizes honesty, truthfulness, and adherence to moral principles and informs interventions fostering trust and reliability in societal interactions.
Individuals and organizations often camouflage parochial values as “universal” to gain acceptance and popularity. Terrorism, disguised as “freedom movement,” exemplifies the misuse of universal values for political ends. Woke culture often positions itself as a champion of universal values, emphasizing principles like equality, justice, and inclusivity. Advocates argue that these values should be universally accepted, yet challenges arise in the selective application and potential clash with cultural relativism. It is hardly surprising to realize woke culture’s impact on freedom of expression, potential polarization, and the fostering of an “us vs. them” mentality.
Huntington predicts and describes the great clashes that will occur among civilizations. First, he anticipates a coalition or cooperation between Islamic and Sinic cultures to work against a common enemy, the West. Three issues that separate the West from the rest are identified by Huntington as:
- The West’s ability to maintain military superiority through the nonproliferation of emerging powers.
- The promotion of Western political values such as human rights and democracy.
- The restriction of non-Western immigrants and refugees into Western societies.
Non-western countries see all three aspects as a western attempt to enforce and maintain their status as the cultural hegemon.
Unique values are beliefs and principles specific to particular cultures, communities, or individuals. This is Influenced by history, geography, religion, and tradition. Examples include cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and personal values shaped by individual experiences. Cultural tradition includes specific customs, rituals, and practices that are important within a culture. It may not be shared universally, contributing to cultural diversity. Religious beliefs include teachings and doctrines of various religions guiding moral and ethical conduct and significant differences exist between faiths, influencing diverse values. Personal values: but one should remember the common quote here: “You don’t need religion to have morals. If you can’t determine right from wrong, then you lack empathy not religion.” Individual values are shaped by personal experiences, upbringing, and belonging. Priorities such as family, career, or environmental stewardship are examples. Certain values are unique to specific cultures, religions, and societies, resisting easy implementation in other contexts. Contentious ideas like tolerance for violence or marriage practices showcase the diversity of unique values. Unique values often become instrumental in propaganda dissemination. Groups package their ideas as unique values but strive to connect them with larger universal values to gain mass support.
Conflicts arise when universal values clash with a nation’s unique values, such as cultural or religious practices. International organizations and diplomatic negotiations traditionally mediate these conflicts by facilitating discussions for mutually acceptable solutions. However, recent trends suggest a shift in international organizations from platforms for engagement to instruments of power projection and manipulation. In instances like the Hamas-Israel war, international organizations have diverted discussions towards the morality of Israel’s retaliation towards a terrorist attack. Furthermore, failed experiments with forced multiculturalism in some Western countries highlight the dangers of prioritizing unique values at the expense of universal values, challenging the very foundations of cooperation and stability.
Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is the Vice Chancellor of JNU.