According to Louis Rath's Value Criteria, which of the following is a criterion for values?

The correct answer, which states that values are chosen freely and actively acted upon, reflects a core principle of Louis Rath's Value Criteria. This definition emphasizes personal agency and autonomy in the formation and expression of values. Rath posits that true values are ones that individuals have consciously selected based on their beliefs, experiences, and desires. This freedom to choose is critical because it allows individuals to embody their values through their actions, leading to genuine alignment between what they believe and how they act.

In contrast, options suggesting that values must be regulated by external policies or that they are imposed by cultural norms highlight a more constrictive view of values. These perspectives imply that values are determined by outside forces rather than being a product of personal choice. While values can certainly be influenced by cultural and societal factors, Rath's criteria focus on the importance of individual choice in shaping one's values. The notion that values could be nurtured exclusively through educational systems also deviates from Rath’s emphasis on personal agency and the active role individuals play in defining their value systems.