Ethics Workshop
Core and Secondary Ethical Values
Core Values
Trustworthiness
Respect, Caring
Responsibility
Justice, Fairness
Civic Virtue
Secondary Value Influences
Religious Beliefs
Professional Standards
Business Standards
Cultural Traditions
Political Philosophy
Individual Differences
Source: Adapted from K Walker, Values,
Ethics, & Ethical Decision-Making," Adult
Learning 5:2 (1993).

Values are stable – often part of our unconscious assumptions.

Core Values appear stable over most cultures.

Secondary values also have a strong hold, but they are more conscious.

Secondary values can change over time, but such change requires intense thought;
not happen lightly or superficially.
they do