PHIL 2270 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Intravenous Therapy, Environmental Ethics, Herbivore
14 Jun 2018
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“The varieties of intrinsic value” by John O’Neill
O’Neill will argue that intrinsic value for natural objects is objective – in the sense that it is
independent of human valuation – though this objective value does NOT entail that we
have any obligations to nature.
Intrinsic value (1): x has intrinsic value only if x has non-instrumental value. That is, its
value is not reducible to being a means to an end.
Intrinsic value (2): x has intrinsic value in terms of its non-relational properties. Has value
on its own.
Intrinsic value (3): x has intrinsic value only if x has objective value – value that is
completely independent of human valuation.
• With respect to intrinsic value (1) and (3) – it is often assumed that a natural
object cannot have intrinsic value(1) if it is denied that it lacks intrinsic value(3).
• O’Neill argues that even if value were subjective in origin (denial of i.v.(3)) it is still
possible for natural objects to have non-instrumental value (i.v.(1)). To say that x
has non-instrumental value = agent S approves of x intrinsically & tries to
convince others of this evaluation.
• In other words, humans can ascribe BOTH instrumental value & non-instrumental
value to natural objects – the Source of value is not the same as its character or
object.
With the last man objection, If there are no more humans around to ascribe value
(intrinsic or otherwise) to natural objects, then these objects no longer have value.
• O’Neill reiterates that this objection confuses the Source of value with its
character & object.
Premise 1: An environmental ethic is possible only if natural objects have intrinsic value.
Premise 2: Natural objects that have only relational value (relation to humans, for
example) have no intrinsic value.
Conclusion: Natural objects having only relational value have no place in an
environmental ethic.
• O’Neill argues that this argument is flawed since it equivocates on the term
‘intrinsic value’. Something have intrinsic value but lack non-relational value.
• Example: Wilderness can be valued for its own sake (e.g., aesthetic value) even
though wilderness is valued in relation to non-wilderness.
Weak objective value (intrinsic value(3a)): x has weak objective value only if x has
evaluative properties that exist in the absence of any evaluating agents.
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Document Summary
The varieties of intrinsic value by john o"neill. O"neill will argue that intrinsic value for natural objects is objective in the sense that it is independent of human valuation though this objective value does not entail that we have any obligations to nature. Intrinsic value (1): x has intrinsic value only if x has non-instrumental value. That is, its value is not reducible to being a means to an end. Intrinsic value (2): x has intrinsic value in terms of its non-relational properties. To say that x has non-instrumental value = agent s approves of x intrinsically & tries to convince others of this evaluation. In other words, humans can ascribe both instrumental value & non-instrumental value to natural objects the source of value is not the same as its character or object. Premise 1: an environmental ethic is possible only if natural objects have intrinsic value.
