Ethics deals with values...ethics requires us to identify our values. Moreover, we must justify the choice of the values on which we base our ethical decisions. These different justifications correspond to different ways of doing ethics, which can be loosely seperated into groups that are sometimes called "schools of ethics". Among the diverse schools are principle-based or deontological ethics, situational ethics, utilitarian ethics, consequentialist ethics, casuist or case-based ethics; narrative ethics, feminist ethics; hermeneutic ethics and virtue or character ethics. - Somerville 2001

Definition of 'values'

The established ideals of life, that whicj are held top be of importance, worth, of gtreta use or benefit, excellent and desirability.(Collins Gage Canadaian Dictionary)

Value is a concept that describes the beliefs of an individual or culture. A set of values may be placed into the notion of a value system. Values are considered subjective and vary across people and cultures. Types of values include ethical/moral values, doctrinal/ideological (political, religious) values, social values, and aesthetic values. -From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

References

Eyre, Linda and Richard (1993) Teaching Your Children Values, New York: Simon & Schusters

Rachels, James (1999) The Elements of Moral Philosophy, New York: McGraw Hill

Simon, Sidney B. Leland W. Howe, Howard Kirschenbaum (1972) Values Clarification, A handbook of Practical Strategies for Teachers and Students, New York: Hart Publishing

Simon, Sidney B. (1993) In Search of Values, 31 Strategies for Finding Out What Really Matters to You, New York: Warner Books

Somerville. Margaret (2001) The Ethical Canary Science, Society and the Human Spirit, Toronto: Penguin