Universal Human Values

Course Objectives :                        Why this Subject?

1. To help the students appreciate the essential complementarily between 'VALUES' and 'SKILLS' to ensure sustained happiness and prosperity which are the core aspirations of all human beings.
2. To facilitate the development of a Holistic perspective among students towards life and profession as well as towards happiness and prosperity based on a correct understanding of the Human reality and the rest of existence. Such a holistic perspective forms the basis of Universal Human Values and movement towards value-based living in a natural way.
3. To highlight plausible implications of such a Holistic understanding in terms of ethical human conduct, trustful and mutually fulfilling human behaviour and mutually enriching interaction with Nature.
4. To analyze the value of harmonious relationship based on trust and respect in their life and profession

Course Outcomes (CO)

• CO1 Evaluate the significance of value inputs in formal education and start applying them in their life and profession
• CO2 Distinguish between values and skills, happiness and accumulation of physical facilities, the Self and the Body, Intention and Competence of an individual, etc.
• CO3 Examine the role of a human being in ensuring harmony in society and nature.
• CO4 Apply the understanding of ethical conduct to formulate the strategy for ethical life and profession.

UNIT-I

Introduction-Basic Human Aspiration, its fulfillment through All-encompassing Resolution: The basic human aspirations and their fulfillment through Right understanding and Resolution, Right understanding and Resolution as the activities of the Self, Self being central to Human Existence; All-encompassing Resolution for a Human Being, its details and solution of problems in the light of Resolution

UNIT-II

Understanding Human Being: Understanding the human being comprehensively as the first step and the core theme of this course; human being as co-existence of the self and the body; the activities and potentialities of the self; Basis for harmony/contradiction in the self

UNIT-III

Understanding Nature and Existence: A comprehensive understanding (knowledge) about the existence, Nature being included; the need and process of inner evolution (through self-exploration, self-awareness and self-evaluation), particularly awakening to activities of the Self: Realization, Understanding and Contemplation in the Self (Realization of Co-Existence, Understanding of Harmony in Nature and Contemplation of Participation of Human in this harmony/ order leading to comprehensive knowledge about the existence).

UNIT - IV

Understanding Human Conduct, All-encompassing Resolution & Holistic Way of Living: Understanding Human Conduct, different aspects of All-encompassing Resolution (understanding, wisdom, science etc.), Holistic way of living for Human Being with All-encompassing Resolution covering all four dimensions of human endeavor viz., realization, thought, behavior and work (participation in the larger order) leading to harmony at all levels from Self to Nature and entire Existence

Textbook(s):

1. R R Gaur, R Asthana, G P Bagaria, 2019 (2nd Revised Edition), A Foundation Course in Human Values and Professional Ethics. ISBN 978-93-87034-47-1, Excel Books, New Delhi.
2. Premvir Kapoor, Professional Ethics and Human Values, Khanna Book Publishing, New Delhi, 2022.

References:

1. Ivan Illich, 1974, Energy & Equity, The Trinity Press, Worcester, and Harper Collins, USA
2. E.F. Schumacher, 1973, Small is Beautiful: a study of economics as if people mattered, Blond & Briggs, Britain.
3. Sussan George, 1976, How the Other Half Dies, Penguin Press. Reprinted 1986.
4. Donella H. Meadows, Dennis L. Meadows, Jorgen Randers, William W. Behrens III, 1972, Limits to Growth – Club of Rome’s report, Universe Books.
5. A Nagraj, 1998, Jeevan Vidya EkParichay, Divya Path Sansthan, Amarkantak.
6. P L Dhar, RR Gaur, 1990, Science and Humanism, Commonwealth Publishers.
7. A N Tripathy, 2003, Human Values, New Age International Publishers.
8. Subhas Palekar, 2000, How to practice Natural Farming, Pracheen (Vaidik) Krishi Tantra Shodh, Amravati.
9. E G Seebauer& Robert L. Berry, 2000, Fundamentals of Ethics for Scientists &Engineers, Oxford University Press
10. M Govindrajran, S Natrajan& V.S. Senthil Kumar, Engineering Ethics (including Human Values), Eastern Economy Edition, Prentice Hall of India Ltd.
11. B P Banerjee, 2005, Foundations of Ethics and Management, Excel Books.
12. B L Bajpai, 2004, Indian Ethos and Modern Management, New Royal Book Co., Lucknow. Reprinted 2008.