The 4 types of antivalores, and examples
The antivalores, although little known, are one of the most important components of morality. Or, rather, of immorality. And is that although we usually talk about the ethics behind our actions emphasizing what should be done, focusing on the positive (or the absence of this), it is also important to take into account that there are values that lead us to act wrong.
In this article we will see what antivalores are, with their types and examples , and why they are related to the immoral.
- Related article: "The 10 types of values: principles that govern our lives"
What are antivalores?
Anti-values are personal values that, put into perspective, can be recognized as harmful beliefs and ideals that cause suffering to the person or to the rest of society.
Thus, it is about predispositions to perform behaviors that are harmful to the individual or to society
Types of antivalores
Antivalores can be of 4 different types : self-destructive, individualistic, anti-equality and destructive.
Self-destructive
These antivalores are characterized by leading us to perform acts that are destructive to oneself. For example, self-harm or substance abuse in order to plead to damage in the body itself .
- You may be interested: "Non Suicidal Self-injury: Who is affected and why is it produced?"
Individualists
These antivalores create a moral barrier that creates a separation between oneself and others, so that one's well-being is systematically prioritized in all areas and no matter how insignificant the privilege is.
Anti-equality
It's about antivalores that they create moral separations between population groups that are not defined by the moral aspect of their behavior. For example, the groups "serial killers" and "civilian population" are separated by a moral distinction, but not "rich people" and "poor people".
Destructive
In this category are the antivalores that lead to widespread destructive acts , as for example against the environment.
Examples
Below you can see several examples of antivalores, and why they are harmful.
1. Racism
Racism brings us to Segregate people from arbitrary characteristics that, moreover, have nothing to do with the morality of its members. In addition, these groups are artificial, since there is no scientific criterion to detect white, black people, etc.
On the other hand, attempts to link physical and cultural characteristics that are associated with non-white communities because of stereotypes have totally failed. There is nothing to indicate that a person whose skin is lighter is more likely to behave more correctly than someone with dark skin.
2. Sexism
The idea that people should adjust to the traditional gender roles that are assigned to them at birth based on their physical characteristics It is also a very widespread antivalent . The reason for this is that, simply, there is no reason why people, whether men or women, should conform to those patterns of behavior, tastes, hobbies and preferences etc.
- Related article: "Types of sexism: the different forms of discrimination"
3. Homophobia
The idea that homosexuality is unnatural, or that people who do not belong to the category of heterosexuality should have fewer rights is a clear form of oppression towards a collective. Oppression that in the best of cases is expressed in ridicule , less price and unequal access to opportunities, and at worst, to physical aggressions, murders or even public executions, depending on the cultural context.
4. Religious integrity
Religious fanaticism is also an anti-value, since leads to violating the rights of others simply because of beliefs that one has decided to internalize without ever questioning them.
5. Exploitation
The idea that people in a privileged position can exploit the most disadvantaged it is another example of an anti-value that, in everyday practice, is usually justified using competitiveness, meritocracy or even personal improvement as an excuse. When the precariousness of people is very pronounced, they do not have the necessary freedom to choose between worthy options.
6. Selfishness
The antivalent by antonomasia is selfishness, which is often the main root of bad behavior. The pursuit of one's own pleasure by depriving others or even inflicting pain on others It is a habit that generates discomfort or even real crimes , sometimes.
7. Envy
Hate people who are perceived as better than oneself is a way to unburden the discomfort generated by this feeling of inferiority making someone else pay for it . Therefore, envy is an antivalent.
- Related article: "Psychology of envy: 5 keys to understand it"
8. Banalization
Equating ideas or values with a very different moral load makes that on the one hand that which is more positive seems more negative and that which is more negative is excused. For example, to point out that a democratic political collective is comparable to Nazism based on certain elements of its aesthetic or its claiming style makes the murder of millions of people seem to be on the same moral plane as, for example, a stridency in a demonstration or in a political discourse.
