The Values of the Person and The Work of the Future

Values, a word as simple as its meaning can be complex and profound We can define them as a set of personal virtues that guide the way we interact with the outside world, or as a set of capabilities, both moral and intellectual, that characterize the human being.

Values have guided and characterized the history of humanity since its inception, they have marked revolutions, changes, behaviors, and hopes. It is something intrinsic to human existence, which characterizes every single person, guiding their behavior and choices.

The values of the person are therefore the lowest common denominator of everything that is done, they go beyond times and places and are not negotiable.

In the world of work, values are too often considered in the background or not even taken into consideration.

We commonly talk about tasks, skills, objectives, production, efficiency, and know-how. In other words, attention is mainly paid to the more material variables of work, neglecting the more personal and intimate sphere of individuals. Although those issues are fundamental, in times like the present ones, in which technology will replace the act of human work in many fields, it would be necessary to investigate more deeply the human side of the worker to understand and enhance the role and importance of values that distinguish it.

In a world that changes also thanks to human action, values should therefore represent a fixed and stable point that guides the lives of people and companies. In other words, can we say that the person, with his or her values, will be the cornerstone of the work of the future?

Man, that is, not only as a productive subject, and creator of goods and services, but as a set of values. Those values underpin everything, the real engine that allows people and companies to continue to thrive and innovate. Values such as the spirit of sacrifice, the sense of belonging to a group, the curiosity to explore unknown fields of knowledge, and the desire and the courage to put oneself to the test. Because these are the values that drive people to give their best and acquire the skills and experience necessary to achieve important goals

The person as a set of values, or perhaps it is more appropriate to speak of the value of the person?

We are so used to technologies that evolve rapidly from generation to generation that we underestimate their ethical aspects and educational relevance.

The extent of the challenges and opportunities that the “human journey” will have to face requires an inclusive quality education capable of equipping the “travellers” of this historical moment, and for the future, with self-awareness, skills, attitudes, and above all values to play the role of protagonists in individual and collective paths towards self-realization and a better world.

People who are always capable of governing technology, evolving, and defending their independence from the machine.

We won’t go back to the life we lived before this kind of technology, of course. However, we can and must use it carefully in the service of the person.