Together, these seven values provide us with a unified, values-based theory of human motivation. Eponymously, it becomes the Raphael Unified Theory of Human Motivation, or RUTHM.

The closest reference to a values-based theory of human motivation that I could find in an extensive Internet search was An Overview of the Schwartz

Theory of Basic Values, by Shalom H. Schwartz¹¹. Schwartz lists ten values: self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, achievement, power, security, conformity, tradition, benevolence, and universalism. There is no dispute with these values, as secondary or tertiary interpreted-values subordinate to the three primary values. They have supported great contributions to the sustainability of our species by many individuals. Schwarz’s theory was published after Dr. David L. Forbes’ paper, “Toward a Unified Model of Human Motivation,”¹², that examined all major theories of human motivation, and not included.

A Unified Theory of Human Motivation. The unity of the primary and secondary value systems gives us a complete picture of human motivation and an accurate reflection of us as individuals — thinking and compassionate. The three primary values and the three secondary value-emotions bring us full circle to provide the basis for a unified theory of human motivation by engaging the analytical -side of individual and social existence with the intuitive or heart-connected side of our existence.

We are motivated by our intellectual side to devise ways to improve our quality of life, whether that means discovering fire to heat our cave and cook our food to inventing the latest smart phone. We are also mightily motivated by what we feel from what most people call their “heart.” The secondary value-emotions give each of us the capability to improve the quality of our lives through our empathy, compassion, and “love” of humanity, both as givers to others and as receivers from others.

Further, these values give us the capability of improving the quality of our lives through our intra-personal relationship with our self; and inter-personal relationship with others. This is the point that the unification of these two value systems becomes vastly important to motivate each of us to explore our innate potential and find meaning in our life, to confidently unlock our potential, and to aid others unlock their own. The three secondary values connect us to others through our empathy to act in compassion to aid those in distress. In doing so, these values fully reflect what we are in being human. Peace will never become possible until we become fully human in our intra- and inter- relationships.

These seven values have provided the motivating impetus to sustain of our species for 8,000 generations, approximately, and characterize our species as being human, humane. In other terms, the three primary values give us an integrated system of moral justice; and the three secondary values give us an integrated system of humane justice. The three secondary Value-Emotions give us the criteria to live our lives humanely in grace, to protect and nurture our self while we protect and nurture others.

Adapting to Changing Conditions. While the three primary values have sustained our species, the three secondary values give us the conscious capability to peacefully adapt to a world that is becoming more and more populated. The key words here are “conscious” and “adapt.” As a species we have unconsciously relied upon the three primary values to urge every person to yearn for a better quality of life, to grow into their potential, and to do so equally as anyone else. The three secondary values, however, are volitional, meaning that they come into operation unconsciously and consciously.

As our societies become more and more complex and populated, the more that we will need to become more conscious of invoking and implementing the three secondary values that make us human — humane. Otherwise our developed societies will not survive, regardless of whether they are democratic or totalitarian.

It seems that many people today fear what the future will bring to their lives. For some, this awareness is much like an incessant alarm clock trying to awaken us to the opportunity now to create a far more secure future. For yet fewer, we are actively designing a future that is far more friendly, and socially sustainable. And just a few actually do see the tendrils of social evolution reaching out to individuals and groups to create the first stages of that friendly future.

The future for such prescient individuals begins here, today, with like-minded progressive people. When the primary value Equality invokes our empathy we become aware of the equality of others that requires us to come to the conscious awareness (consciousness) to then act in compassion to come to the aid of others; or choose to ignore them. Which choice-decision-action is more human?

For societies, that consciousness must become awakened so that individual citizens and all citizens collectively choose to activate their sense of equality, compassion, and “love” of humanity to help others adapt to living more closely together. If we choose, consciously or unconsciously, not to apply the three secondary values at a societal level, then the three primary values will operate on their own, and this will maintain the ongoing ethnic, religious, political, and national competition for their selfish existence, to the detriment of everyone. Conflicts are no longer regional, but global. The way through this is to consciously engage our intuitive minds individually and collectively to choose to live without conflict, in peace — the organic state of human existence.

¹¹  Schwartz, S. H. (2012). An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1116