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Buying into conservation: intrinsic versus instrumental value.

James Justus1, Mark Colyvan, Helen Regan

  • 1Philosophy Department, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. jjustus@fsu.edu

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|March 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Conservation ethics often cite intrinsic value, but this concept is unclear for decision-making. Instrumental value provides a clearer ethical basis for conservation actions.

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Area of Science:

  • Conservation Biology
  • Environmental Ethics
  • Philosophy of Value

Background:

  • Many conservation biologists advocate for intrinsic value as the ethical foundation for conservation.
  • Significant conceptual confusion exists regarding the definition and application of intrinsic value in conservation.
  • The practical utility of intrinsic value in guiding conservation decision-making is questioned.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically examine the concept of intrinsic value in conservation.
  • To evaluate the capacity of intrinsic value to guide practical conservation decision-making.
  • To propose an alternative ethical framework for conservation.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of the philosophical concept of intrinsic value.
  • Argumentation regarding the applicability of intrinsic value to conservation policy.
  • Comparison of intrinsic and instrumental value frameworks for conservation.

Main Results:

  • The concept of intrinsic value, as commonly understood, is too ambiguous to guide conservation decisions.
  • Intrinsic value lacks the practical criteria needed for resource allocation and policy formation.
  • Instrumental value offers a more robust and applicable ethical basis for conservation.

Conclusions:

  • Intrinsic value is an inadequate ethical basis for guiding conservation decision-making.
  • Instrumental value provides a more effective ethical foundation for conservation efforts.
  • Rethinking the ethical underpinnings of conservation is necessary for effective action.