Exploring Values and Value Transformation: A Multi-Perspective Approach

Abstract

The field of exploration of the values embraced by people and societies seems to be vast, as there are many different parameters of examination. The importance of values in the formation of human character and, by extension, in the formation of better societies is a key thematic area that to date, has attracted a lot of research interest across various scientific domains. However, one wonders whether values differ at an individual and societal level; and if they transform and to what extent this transformation impacts (and/or is impacted) differently at the individual and societal level. Although existing literature explores value diversities, and identifies the factors that influence the transformation of personal and cultural values, to our knowledge there appears to be a gap in the study of values at a personal and societal level, adopting a spatio-temporal perspective. This research aims to fill this gap by exploring values from a multi-perspective approach and framework that includes diverse value perspectives, for the individual (micro level) and the society (macro level), through a spatio-temporal prism, exploring time and spatial transformation of values and their implications. The findings of this study indicate that values are dynamic and tend to change, and it seems that the spatio-temporal axis has a dynamic effect on the individual and societal level.