On the Intrinsic Value of Everything

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On the Intrinsic Value of Everything is an illuminating introduction to fundamental questions in ethics.

Howand to whatwe assign value, whether it is to events or experiences or objects or people, is central to ethics. Something is intrinsically valuable only if it would be valued for its own sake by all fully informed, properly functioning persons. Davison defends the controversial view that everything that exists is intrinsically valuable to some degree.

If only some things are intrinsically valuable, what about other things Where and how do we draw the cutoff point If only living creatures are intrinsically valuable, what does this imply for how we value the environment If everything has intrinsic value, what practical implications does this have for how we live our lives How does this view fit with the traditional theistic idea that God is the source of goodness and truth

Both critics and proponents of the concept of intrinsic value will find something of interest in this careful investigation of the basic value structure of the world.

Reviews

"In this lovely little book Scott Davison defends the novel thesis that everything has intrinsic value to some degree. What fascinates me is that Davison presents his case in a highly accessible manner without compromising its depth and rigor. This book is an important contribution to discussions of intrinsic value within and beyond academic philosophy." -- Yujin Nagasawa, Reader in Philosophy of Religion, University of Birmingham, UK
"Clear and straightforward, this book challenges widely held views about what sorts of things are intrinsically good or valuable." -- Noah Lemos, Leslie and Naomi Legum Professor of Philosophy, The College of William & Mary, USA
Davisons mode of argumentation is cautious, clear, and epistemologically modest. [...] Davisons efforts at fending off possible attacks on his position also offer a helpful entre into the literature on intrinsic value. [...] Davison is certainly to be credited for his clarity of exposition and moral seriousness. One can only hope that this short book will inspire more thoroughgoing explorations of the ethical consequences of his doctrine. -- Berel Dov Lerner, Western Galilee College, Israel * Philosophy in Review *

Author Bio

Scott A. Davison (Ph.D. University of Notre Dame) is Professor of Philosophy at Morehead State University, Kentucky, USA. He has lectured on intrinsic value in both the United States and in China, and is past Visiting Professor of Philosophy at Minzu University of China.