What are Relative Values:
The relative values are those whose meanings vary based on different circumstances and contexts in which an individual develops.. They are values that are not conditioned to a fixed and invariable structure.
The relative values are not common in all societiesand they differ between one person or another based on their nationality, religion, social class, culture, educational level, age, experiences, among others.
Likewise, they are related to relativism or moral relativism, a term in which it is considered that moral values are changing over time depending on the circumstances and environment in which a person operates.
There are those who affirm that relative values are not universal and doubt their existence because they do not start from the understanding of a common idea shared by all people, beyond the cultural, religious, political or language differences that exist.
In general terms, all people know how to discern between acts that are considered good or bad; this is due to a series of moral and ethical values that have been pre-established in all societies.
However, given certain scenarios, the positive or negative meaning of some acts can change based on a series of arguments and logical reasoning.
Examples of relative values
For example, cooperation is a value that consists of carrying out work together with other people with whom you share the same objective, such as raising funds for an animal shelter that needs food and medicine.
But, not all cases of cooperation have good intentions, we can also talk about those who cooperate with groups of bandits to whom they provide information about where or to whom they can steal and take their belongings.
In both cases, the idea of working together through cooperation is carried out, a value that all people know how to recognize. However, from this point of view, cooperation is a relative value that can be used for something good or bad.
Therefore, relative values are variable, with the aim of being applied in the best way according to the circumstances, hence they differ from other types of values.
Likewise, moral behaviors are variable depending on the scenario where they are applied, so what may be positive for some will be negative for others depending on their customs.
Other examples of relative values are: solidarity, honesty, justice, tolerance, cooperation, respect for life, among others.
See also Moral values.