Which term is used to describe strongly held beliefs?

The term "values" is used to describe strongly held beliefs because values reflect what individuals or groups consider important in their lives. These values guide behaviors and decisions, and they are often deeply embedded in a person's identity. Values can encompass aspects such as moral beliefs, cultural norms, and personal principles, providing a framework through which people interpret the world and their experiences.

Ethics, while related, refers specifically to the moral principles that govern an individual’s conduct, but it does not encompass the broader notion of beliefs, which can include personal or cultural values. Arguments are structured reasons employed to persuade someone of a particular point of view and do not inherently denote beliefs. Philosophies usually involve a system of thought or a worldview, which may be shaped by underlying values, but they are broader than just the beliefs themselves. Thus, values is the term that most directly pertains to strongly held beliefs.