An essential defining term is one which, if removed, causes the concept itself to collapse. I m getting ahead of myself. Your question has prompted me to review the way I ve taught and written about philanthropic values in recent years. You may get more about this subject than you bargained for. These social values, as they are often called, form central principles around which individual and societal goals can become integrated.
Classic examples are freedom, justice, education, etc.
Kant once wrote that It is impossible to conceive anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be taken as good without qualification, except a good will. The notion of value and values these days is murkier than ever. The Business section doesn t carry such a label, but it could be called Market Values, celebrating self-interest, nor does the general news section identify itself as focusing on Political Values, celebrating the exercise of power. A philanthropic gift is different from taxes paid. Helping another person without receiving anything material in return is the difference between voluntary service and service in the marketplace.