Values

Everyone has values. Whether you are a saint or a devil you have values, and those values determine your actions in the everyday world. That is why it is so important to know your values, and the values of those around you. Values affect every relationship in your personal life and career life.

In section two of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle divides friendship into three categories: friendship based on utility/usefulness, friendship based on pleasure/joy, and friendship based on ‘the good’/virtue. (1156b, 10) An example of the first type of friendship is the relationship commonly found amongst coworkers. It is a friendship that exists, not because of any common beliefs, but because it is useful for it to exist for a successful business.  The second type of friendship does not require much knowledge of each individual’s values, because it relies solely on a shared interest. People with very different values can be friends in these two senses, but to have a deep relationship, the friendship must be built upon mutual values or appreciation of virtue, which is the final type of friendship.

Without common values one cannot have as deep of a relationship with another person. That is why it is so important to know each other’s values. Often people enter a romantic relationship based on the second type of friendship, and end up with a broken heart because they didn’t pay attention to the importance of common values. Or an employee may be put into a tough situation when his employer asks him to do something that goes against his values.

In summary, knowing values is important because values are crucial to every kind of relationship. Therefore, common values should be considered when seeking friendships.