Are there Intrinsic Values in Nature?
Journal of Applied Philosophy March 1, 1987 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5930.1987.tb00199.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 22 |
| Key points | Argues that many aspects of nature depend on being present to a consciousness like ours yet can still have intrinsic value, as works of art do. Proposes that only a panpsychic, perhaps pantheist, view of nature can attribute intrinsic value to nature existing apart from human or animal consciousness, and only a vague one. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Some think we should look at aspects of what is commonly thought of as non‐sentient nature as having a value in themselves apart from the use or recreation they provide for humans or even animals. But to what extent does nature, in the character it presents to us, exist apart from presence to consciousness such as ours? Surely at least many of its aspects cannot. However, that does not stop them having a genuinely intrinsic value, just as works of art do, whose existence also is impossible apart from their display to a consciousness such as ours. But can nature, as it exists quite apart from human or animal consciousness, have any intrinsic value? It is suggested that only a panpsychic, and perhaps pantheist, view of nature (a view for which there are excellent metaphysical grounds) can give a positive answer, and even that must be a very vague one [1].
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Sprigge's Ontology of Consciousness Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplement July 7, 2010
- 6 Scholars Lock Horns July 7, 2005
- 7 On the Couch, in the Lab July 7, 2005
- 4 Divine Cosmos July 7, 2005
- 2 ‘Being All, Knowing All, Loving All’ Mystical Encounters with the Natural World July 7, 2005
and 3 more in the library