Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Individual natural entities should not be treated as mere instruments and thus possess intrinsic value

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Intrinsic value requires a valuing subject; value without a conscious experiencer is a category error (Korsgaard, 'Two Distinctions in Goodness').
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Natural entities lack the sentience or rational agency required to be bearers of value independent of conscious evaluators.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Therefore, what natural entities possess is merely relational value contingent on human or sentient valuation, not intrinsic value.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The inference from 'not designed for a purpose' to 'possesses intrinsic value' commits a non-sequitur; absence of instrumental function does not entail positive moral status.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Rocks and viruses also lack designed purposes, yet attributing intrinsic value to all purposeless entities produces an implausibly inflated and action-guiding-inert moral ontology.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.A coherent environmental ethics can be grounded in instrumental and systemic value relative to sentient welfare without invoking intrinsic value in natural entities (Norton, 'Weak Anthropocentrism').
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Individual natural entities are not designed by anyone to fulfill any purpose
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Entities that lack intrinsic function (a function constituting part of their essence or identity conditions) should not be treated as mere instruments
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Things that should not be treated as mere instruments possess intrinsic value
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.