Issues of Intellectual Values Orientations in Mongolian Society

1 Introduction

In axiology, values are categorized by their characteristics. For instance, abstract versus tangible; material against spiritual; ethics, aesthetics, religion, and law; absolute and relative; primary and secondary, etc. (Anisimov 2001). The classification of values is both spiritual and material, a concept utilized not only in Marxism but also in other axiological frameworks. It encompasses culture, knowledge, rational components, and emotional aspects within intellectual ideals.

Max Scheler categorized values into emotive, life, intellectual (including beauty, ethics, and epistemology), and religious spheres of value-phenomena (Max 1973, 57). American philosopher Frankena considered that values such as effort, freedom, luck, and novelty, as manifested via art, music, and personal judgment, emerge during moments of freedom (Frankena 1963). Reiner classified that “Objective beneficial values do not depend on the need of subject, individual character, values of subject are subjective values” (Reiner 1964, 168–176). These classifications are contingent upon the substance of this research. The predominant nations concur that the national intellectual ideals of independence, solidarity, and sovereignty are shaped by history, cultural heritage, native language, traditional religion, and the motherland.

The national values system explained their culture in alignment with human ideals. Countries worldwide are articulating their ideals in the contemporary global era. In recent years, Mongolian researchers have undertaken investigations pertaining to this issue. For example, researchers from the University of Finance and Economics surveyed over 4214 respondents (University of Finance and Economics 2017, 2). In 2017, The Management Academy conducted a sociological study entitled “Defining the Mongolian values by the Schwartz theory of basic values,” which included 797 respondents (Kherlen et al., 2017, 3-4). The interrelations among Hofstede’s cultural dimension values were analyzed through a methodology assessing values orientations of English educators in Mongolia. Since English language teachers’ work environments exist at the intersection of multiple cultures, Hofstede’s theoretical framework is crucial for examining cultural disparities and adaptability in intercultural engagements (Khulan 2025, 151–8). The Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture conducted a study on values in 2020 with 1,125 students from six public universities in Mongolia. The majority of these students upholding justice, friendship, accountability, love, forgiveness, altruism, generosity, wisdom, knowledge, their homeland, and their parents. Additionally, they esteem universal values such as safety, health, social order, familial harmony, national security, social justice, peace, and environmental protection (MNUAC 2022, 25-26). The National University of Mongolia conducted a survey of 5,638 students from many regions of Mongolia who are now studying in the capital city, employing a random sampling method (Batbaatar 2025, 17–25).

The “Vision-2050” long-term development policy of Mongolia encompasses personal and societal values such as benevolence, kindness, law, education, morality, equality, justice, freedom, amity, awareness, finesse, community participation, transparency, revered idols, adoration, faith, health, accountability, and creativity. However, they are insignificant without an autonomous homeland, the territory, and the Mongolian populace residing therein, whose nomadic culture epitomizes the nation’s distinctiveness, historical narrative, cultural legacy, and artistic expressions derived from that culture, alongside the seamless integration of tradition and modernity that facilitates modernization (Anudari 2020).

National values were the intellectual framework, sense, guidence and beliefs of these people. Culture specifically delineates national ideals, which constitute its identity. The National Security Concept of Mongolia (S.3) states, “The foundation for guaranteeing national security lies in unity and consensus to foster healthy social morality, psychology, and shared values,” and “The state, citizens, and mass media must collaborate to cultivate a social mindset that promotes pride in national identity and achievements, as well as respect for national interests, ethical values, law, and statehood.” A concise explanation of these two principles is required in here. The Mongol Yuan Dynasty`s state policy emphasizes the “two principles” within the realm of political values. The scholar Sh.Choimaa defined that Mongol queens commenced their view on two principles during the era of Ögedei Khan`s third son Godan (1206–1251) period (Choimaa 2019, 1.), which constitutes “A moral training program for queens, lords, officials, monks and common people. This principle instructs us on the purification of the body, language, and mind malevolence and the cultivation of virtue.” Academician J. Boldbaatar noted “Nom-un turu was the ideology of Buddhist religion; however, the state should honor intellectuals, and educated individuals ought to serve in public office, provided that the state is reformed by religion” (Boldbaatar 2015, 42.). These represent the prerequisites for composing this article.

2 Materials and Methods

The Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture conducted sociological research titled “Mongolians’ values” in 2018. The objectives of this sociological research focused on delineating the values orientation of Mongolians (MNUAC 2019, 2). This study comprised 1,500 participants from 11 provinces and the capital. The sections pertaining to intellectual values could be compared with those from earlier research on Mongolians` values. The sociological research cited employed questionnaires and interviews with quantitative data analysis and synthesis methodologies. In the absence of specialized studies on intellectual values, we sought to highlight this subject. This article is based on the sociological research report and in other related studies on values.

3 Research Result

Values may be categorized as individual, family, social, national, and human. Family, health, justice, humanity, and knowledge are identified as shared individual values. Family, health, and freedom are all intertwined with the blue planet known as mother earth. They support humanitarianism, harmony, fairness, and responsibility as their shared principles in the fields of enlightenment, knowledge, and science. Homeland, independence, heritage of culture, and state ceremonial practices are all included in national values. These values are constitutive of one another. Intellectual traditions are the foundation for the moral, religious, artistic, cultural, and ceremonial that characterize a national intellectual and beliefs orientation.

When asked about very important values for their good life, 89.5 % respondents named health, humanity 70.8 %, comfort 64.8 %, employment 64.5 %, justice 61.1 %, freedom 58.7 %, place of residence 49.3 %, and property 72.4 %, while 43.1 % indicated that authority is not significant. From this, health, money, and humanity are identified as the three essential values in individuals’ life (Figure 1).

Figure 1:

The most important things in a good life (MNUAC 2019).

University students revealed that morality and upbringing were the most esteemed values (21.5 %), followed by education and knowledge (18.6 %), patriotism (10.8 %), freedom (10.3 %), and riches (8.9 %). It may be inferred that young people and students esteemed family values (group) more than knowledge and education (social), with health coming in second (personal) (Batbaatar 2025, 17–25).

Moral values constitute the key aspect of intellectual values. Individual ethical principles include accountability, fairness, honesty, and compassion. At the societal level, ethical principles include justice, equality, fairness, humanity, as well as mutual understanding. Humanity, the value of life, fairness, and a pursuit of collective good are instances of moral core values.

The moral values identified by participants are as follows: justice (16.2 %), responsibilities (15.2 %), humanity (14.4 %), patriotism (9.8 %), goodness (9.7 %), kindness (8.2 %), reputation (7.6 %), collectivism (6.5 %), happiness (6.2 %), and companionship (6.1 %). Participants asserted that justice is of paramount significant importance among moral values. In response to the question “What do you think justice is?”, 36.4 % pertained to equality, 18.1 % to adherence to common law, 14.8 % to moral standards, and 14.2 % to loyalty. Moral values are universal social norms that direct human behavior, whereas religious values are founded on particular beliefs and doctones.

According to the research of values conducted among students by the National University of Mongolia, they prioritized education and morals first (21.5 %), education second (18.6 %), homeland third (10.8 %), freedom fourth (10.3 %), and money fifth (8.9 %) (Batbaatar 2025, 17–25). Numerous studies have examined the relationship between personal values and the quality of education among journalism students. However, research has been conducted on the relationship between personal values and the professional attitudes of journalists. To fill this research gap, we selected 45 students representing 53.09 % of all students enrolled in the Journalism Program at MNUE (Mongolian National University of Education) (Amartuvshin 2023, 2-15).

The majority of respondents prioritize health, family, and knowledge highly. Figure 2 illustrates that 25.6 % of respondents regard the health of family members as the most crucial, followed by 17.2 % who prioritize the well-being of children, 16.4 % emphasizing care for parents, 14.9 % who steem love, 14.0 % who consider trust, 10.2 % who highlight lineage, 1.0 % who view home divinity as significant, and 0.4 % who focused on inheriting property from ancestors. The most significant elements they consider relate to the family environment. A minority of respondents mentioned that certain family values encompass home divinity and the transmission of property from ancestors (Figure 2, MNUAC 2019, 34)).

Figure 2:

What are your family values? (MNUAC 2019).

The principal world religions promote several ethical key principles: Christianity promotes love, forgiveness, and charity; Islam underscores submission to God, compassion, and justice; Buddhism emphasizes mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom. The priority of these principles by individual believers is influenced by factors including education, personal interest, cultural context, and environmental conditions.

According to Tsedendamba (2013), “There is an growing tendency and interest in religion within modern culture, highlighting the coordinates of competing interests. Individuals often necessitate fundamental beliefs. I perceive an increased need for belief in an open society. There is a dominant trend as individuals are drawn toward religion at a state of ordinary cognition” (135). Consequently, it is essential to integrate religious principles with intellectual ideals. Some 77.4 % of the population are adherents to varying degrees (Tsedendamba et al. 2023, 207).

The majority of respondents associate traditional religion with religious values. It was determined that 14.7 % fully concurred and 31.3 % mostly concurred with the notion of religious freedom as a religious ideal (Figure 3). The National Security Concept of Mongolia (S.3.) is characterized as “Traditional Buddhist…”. This word is used in our research. They addressed unpleasant with tolerance towards the beliefs of others, emphasizing freedom of religion. Individuals have not too much sufficient understanding on the freedom of religion, namely, who should maximize support for training freedom of religion for the masses. In Mongolia, traditional western religious denominations are referred to as non-traditional religions or new religions. The Buddhist religion embodies the fundamental characters of Mongolian civilization, serving as a custodian and transmitter of history and culture, to protect from foreign cultural and new religious movements influences.

Figure 3:

Religious values (MNUAC 2019).

Weak political consciousness is a multifaceted social issue that emerges from the interplay of various elements, including the educational system, social trust, political culture, economic situations, and information accessibility. Components of political culture include values, beliefs, and behavioral dispositions. In Mongolia, the dominant political culture is marked by minimal public engagement and an immature democratic ethos. The principal variables influencing the evolution of political culture are the degree of citizens’ political education, socialization, and political awareness (Institute of Philosophy, Mongolian Academy of Sciences 2019, 17).

Political experts have determined that the Mongols’ veneration for the state constitutes the primary orientation of their political culture. Research indicates that 59.5 % of respondents perceive political consciousness as inadequate, while 53.5 % view moral consciousness as similarly deficient. Some 43.1 % of respondents indicated that their assessment of religious consciousness is ordinary. This critical or unsatisfied attitude reflects a desire for the transformation and renewal of Mongolian political culture and citizen morality in the future. Consequently, the subsequent response was derived to elucidate the perspective on political ideals.

Today`s Mongolians consider independence, national interests (87.6 %), democracy, freedom and equality (83.2 %), respect for the state, and the two principles (khoyor yosny üzel) (81 %) as their core political values. This reflects a synthesis of tradition and modernity within the nation’s political culture (Figure 4).

Figure 4:

Political values (MNUAC 2019).

The “Vision-2050” set nine goals to accomplish in the next 30 years to become a leading Asian country in terms of its social development, economic growth, and quality of life. The document acknowledged risks regarding a gradual loss of cultural value, issues on a lack of common understanding of shared national values, and the need for in-depth research on the subject. The first goal of Vision-2050 emphasized the shared national values and the objective “The World’s Mongolia” aims to strengthen the resilience of the Mongolian national values, disseminate the Mongolian culture, raise Mongolia’s prestige and standing in the world, and foster cooperation with Mongolian nationals living abroad and with the people of Mongolian origin (IOM Development fund 2024). In the other state policy documents of Mongolia, “cultural value” is defined as an entity that signifies a particular historical space and time, or a tangible or intangible expression of cultural content derived from human thought and activity (Law on Culture of Mongolia 2021). Therefore, respondents emphasized cultural values and national culture (Figure 5). We are including traditional customs, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as organization and public culture in cultural values.

Figure 5:

Сultural values (MNUAC 2019).

The origin of the Mongols’ aesthetic values is in their homeland and its natural scenery; the fairy tales, stories, proverbs, and folk art that convey these values are also significant components of their cultural values. The transmission of cultural values is essential for the unity of the national consciousness.

According to the sociological study's respondents, a person's upbringing, education, social situations, and knowledge have an important effect in personal development (Figure 6). Therefore, to enhance parental responsibility, it is essential the significance of Mongolian culture, traditions, and humanitarian ideals.

Figure 6:

What influences positive factors to education and formation? (MNUAC 2019).

Figure 7:

What are your religious values? (MNUAC 2019).

The family’s traditional education and personal development are shaped by an individual’s desires, education, and learning of national culture, which can might impact children`s growth and their development. In quantitative research, participants underestimated the significance of religious instruction; nevertheless, qualitative research experts said that Buddhist organizations should focus on social enlightenment and philanthropic actions within society. The teaching of Buddhist religion always teaches for mind peace of people.

Religion significantly influences the formation of spiritual values: “Religion is highly esteemed. The inclination for religion is inherently present in the human brain…” (Sociological survey on “Mongolians’ values”. Focus group interview. Male, academician). I also reference an interesting discussion: “The Buddhist faith elucidates the essence of the inner consciousness. In general, how to discipline the mind” (“Mongolians’ values” sociological research. Focus group interview. Male, Teacher). A focus group interviewer said that childhood exposure to the nature of Buddhist religion can influence an individual`s lifelong education. As shown in the following figure, the Mongolians attribute to religious teachings, beliefs, and ideologies (Figure 7). Acceptance of other religious denominations, respect for differing faith, and practice of mutual tolerance have become part of the culture of interreligious relations.

In 2008, The Research Institute of Culture and Arts performed a study titled “Cultural service to human development” conducted among 4406 respondents across 21 aimags of Mongolia. Some 71.3 % of them believe in Buddhism, 4.3 % Christianity, 4.1 % Islam, and 1.9 % shamanism, while 18.3 % identify as atheists and 1.0 % follow other religions (Purev et al. 2008, 261–278). Participants of “Mongolians’ values” study expressed a preference for using family education, formal education, national traditions, and media for the children and youth. We ought to elucidate the essence and teaching of Buddhism through a practical interpretation for the populace (MNUAC 2019). The National Statistics Office reports on the quantity of temples and monasteries in 2024 (Table 1). Approximately 60 % of the religious organizations in Ulaanbaatar are Christian, indicating their active engagement (Tsedendamba et al. 2023, 33). According to 2024 statistics, the attitudes of Mongolian believers were reflected as following condition.

Buddhism is the traditional and major religion of Mongolia. Buddhism is a globally practiced religion. It is estimated that over 506 million individuals globally adhere to Buddhism, constituting about 6.6 % of the total world population (World Population Review 2025). Additionally, study findings and statistics indicate that Mongolia predominantly comprises Buddhist worshipers.

The Institute of Philosophy, Sociology, and Law conducted a study entitled “Youth`s life purpose, values change” in 2010. This study shows the manner which young people engaged with religion. Some 81.2 % of youths aged 16–35 believe in Buddhism, 64.1 % attribute their religious belief to ancestral adherence to Buddhism, and 11.8 % said that religion provides them with faith and support in life. Elsewhere, 42.3 % stated that they consult lamas, astrologists, and traditional practitioners; 25.5 % they rarely do so, only when absolutely required; while 15.1 % expressed disbelief in lamas, astrologists, and traditional practitioners (Institute of Philosophy, MAS. 2012, 30). The perspective of youth toward religion will influence the future role of religion in society.

Mongolian cultural beliefs prioritize attributes such as honesty, friendship, loyalty, responsibility, compassion, forgiveness, generosity, and open-mindedness. Conversely, students often emphasize values such as knowledge and education, patriotism, and filial piety, illustrating generational disparities in value orientation (Batbaatar 2025, 17–25).

In 2019, as a result of multiple discussions among Mongolian scholars, the values esteemed by the Mongolian people were delineated. Consequently, the President of Mongolia promulgated a decree to maintain those values in 2020. Mongolian National Values encompass moral dimensions (solidarity, patriotism, collective ideology; justice, responsibilities, compassion, and human qualities), political aspects (independence, national fundamental interests; democracy, freedom, and equity; respect for the state); artistic elements (national arts; public arts; classical arts), religious considerations (traditional religion; tolerance of diverse beliefs; freedom of religion); cultural components (cultural heritage; national culture, customs, and rites; personal, organizational, and public culture), and economic factors (market economy; natural resources, ecosystems; creative labor). These values include both national and universal human values.

Factors influencing the development of intellectual values among modern Mongolians include both macro-level elements, such as heritage and tradition, political system, economic relation, globalization, change of mentality, life style, and migration, and micro-level factors pertaining to the individual age, gender, education, income, family relationships, religion, residence, and employment.

4 Conclusions

Mongolians maintain a predominantly favorable perspective on individual and national values. There exists a significant disparity between the establishment of societal ideals and an individual’s adherence to such values, influenced by social status and cognitive abilities. In modern Mongolia, the national worldview and value system embody a synthesis of tradition- and history-focused perspectives alongside the tenets of liberalism and pluralism. Mongolians’ values are family and the welfare of its members, the motherland, national sovereignty, justice, humanity, compassion, ancient customs, and knowledge and education.

The predominant respondents of the “Mongolians’ values” research identified justice, solidarity, humanism, patriotism, responsibility, and cooperation as moral values. Experts viewed globalization, westernization, foreign cultures, and the dissemination of various religions as external influences contributing to the transformation of modern Mongolian values. In the future, we ought protect the stability of intellectual values within our society. It should reflect the importance of being tolerant of others’ religions and cultures for all should be respected by the values of humanity. This is a reflection of the psychology of today’s society, although people are prioritizing the values ​​that are commonly understood in society.

In modern social interactions, attributes like honesty and diligence seem to be diminishing, yet compassion, empathy, and tolerance remain highly esteemed. Despite the entrenchment of democracy in the societal spiritual and intellectual spheres, discontent persists about equitable governance, the rule of law, transparency, accountability, civic engagement, openness, and the reinforcement of political liberties. This indicates an urgent necessity to further investigate, enhance, and execute strategies designed to promote the advancement and quality of democracy.

The cultural values that differentiate the Mongolian people from other nations encompass the Mongolian language, traditional costume, script, and housing, along with indigenous knowledge systems that involve human-to-human, human-to-nature, and human-to-livestock interactions. Traditional medicine, national festivals, and folk arts and classical performing arts are essential components that persist in being passed down through generations. The aesthetic perspective of Mongolians originates from their homeland and the beauty of the natural environment, which are embodied in folk tales, legends, proverbs, and traditional arts, each constituting a vital element of Mongolia’s cultural value system. The family is considered essential in maintaining and cultivating these cultural values, therefore assuring the spiritual cohesion and continuation of society.

Individuals are more apprehensive about several social challenges, such as environmental degradation, climate change, national security, poverty, unemployment, corruption, moral deterioration, and the escalating prevalence of crime. The facts of social life may not align with the values individuals cherish. The disparity between the two is dynamic, developing in response to changes in the political, social, and economic landscape.