Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Practice Test

Which concept is best defined as an enduring belief about specific modes of conduct being preferable to others?

1. Ethics

2. Values

3. Morality

4. Principles

The correct answer is: Values

The concept best defined as an enduring belief about specific modes of conduct being preferable to others is values. Values serve as guiding principles that shape our decisions, behaviors, and judgments. They reflect what individuals or societies consider important and can influence a range of actions, from personal choices to organizational policies. In distinction to the other options, values are broader and encompass the beliefs that inform what is perceived as right or wrong in terms of conduct and behavior. Ethics often refer to a systematic approach to understanding what is good versus evil, right versus wrong, whereas morality is more related to the specific principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong behavior. Principles can be seen as rules or doctrines that guide actions but do not inherently convey the enduring belief aspect highlighted in the question. Therefore, values encapsulate the essence of enduring beliefs about preferred conduct effectively.