value system

English

Noun

value system (plural value systems)

1. A hierarchy of values that all moral beings have, reflected in their choices. Most people's value systems differ. It's an individualistic concept. One's value system is molded by one's virtues or vices, and experiences.
2. A person's standards and self-discipline set, based on the common sense and wisdom of knowing what the proper moral rules and discipline are, and the amount of willingness to see themselves and others abide by them.
   • 1992, Douglas Adams, chapter 18, in Mostly Harmless (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), page 166:

     ‘Why was that self-sacrifice?’ ‘Because they were mine!’ said Ford, crossly. ‘I think we have different value systems.’ ‘Well, mine's better.’

Related terms

• moral code

Translations

hierarchy of values

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 價值觀 / 价值观 (zh) (jiàzhíguān)

• Finnish: arvojärjestelmä, arvomaailma (fi)
• French: système de valeurs
• Indonesian: sistem nilai
• Japanese: 価値観 (ja) (kachikan)
• Korean: 가치관 (ko) (gachigwan)
• Malay: sistem nilai
• Thai: ระบบคุณค่า (th) (rá-bòp-kun-kâa), ค่านิยม (th) (kâa-ní-yom)

Further reading

• “value system”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.