Personality and self, Race, ethnicity and culture

British values

John Stephens responds to Chris Bagley’s article in The Psychologist, ‘We don’t exist without each other’.

05 September 2023

Thanks for Chris Bagley's article, 'We don't exist without each other'. It was powerful, passionate and managed to reference Homer, Kant, Aristotle and Alex Haslam; what a combination!

Reading the article I was reminded of the 'British Values' taught in a local school. 'We promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.'

While I think these are laudable, I'd suggest they don't go far enough. What about community, society and helping others with love in our hearts?

If psychologists could add one 'basic British value' what would it be and how long would it take for us to agree on it?

John Stephens
Student on MSc in Behaviour Change Psychology at the University of Derby

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