DISCUSSION OF SCHOLARS’ VIEWS ON THE CONCEPT OF VALUE FROM VARIOUS ASPECTS

Abstract

This paper researches scholars’ views regarding the concept of value. It was carried out with basic qualitative research pattern among qualitative research methods. Participants included 11 academics from a number of education faculties selected through criterion sampling as a purposeful sampling method. Data were collected with a semi-structured interview form consisting of five open-ended questions prepared by the authors. Participants’ views about value were analyzed around five themes as “value concept”, “vital quality of the concept of value”, “presence of values”, “societal functionality of values”, and “suggestions for functionality of values”. It was found out that the participants often expressed their views about value as a concept in terms of definitions and phenomena related with value, they stated almost in all instances that values are functional in everyday life, values are changing and being corroded, and values should take a more active role in social, political and educative contexts (schools). Finally, it was recommended to increase awareness levels of all community stakeholders about values education.