Final answer:
The claim that values determine our actions is partially true as they significantly influence decision-making, but they do not solely dictate our behavior. Values represent ideals, while actual behavior is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, as illustrated by the is-ought distinction in philosophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that our values determine our actions and behaviors, and all decision making is based on values clarification is partially true. While it is accurate that values play a significant role in guiding our actions and decision-making processes, they do not exclusively determine behavior. Values signify judgments about what people deem to be good, worthwhile, or important, and this can influence our decisions. For instance, choosing to read Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man might be a decision based on valuing the novel's literary significance or understanding the racial injustices it portrays.
However, there is often a discrepancy between ideal and actual behavior. Values represent an idealized version of how people should act but may not always align with real behavior due to a variety of factors. The is-ought distinction, a philosophical concept, captures the difference between how the world is (actual conditions or facts) and how it ought to be (values and ideals). For instance, while teenagers may value celibacy, the prevalence of unplanned pregnancies suggests that behavior does not always conform to these values. Additionally, people's actions can be influenced by many other factors such as social pressures, emotions, or situational variables.
Value theory offers a framework for identifying and questioning one's personal and societal values, enabling individuals to reflect on what they find desirable and important. Nonetheless, the belief that values are the sole drivers of behavior lacks nuance, as human actions are often the result of complex interactions between values, societal norms, and individual circumstances.