Answer» Correct Answer - Option 2 : As a means to something else
The correct answer is As a means to something else.
- Intrinsic value
- It is the value that an entity has in itself, for what it is, or as an end.
- The contrasting type of value is instrumental value.
- Instrumental value is the value that something has as a means to a desired or valued end.
- Instrumental value is always derivative on the value of something else, and it is always conditional. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
- Something's instrumental value fluctuates based on changes in the desirability of the end to which it is a means and whether alternative, more efficient, means are available.
- For example, the fishing line has instrumental value just in case a person wants to catch fish; and its value might diminish if a person gains access to a much more effective fishing net.
- It is uncontroversial that ecosystems and species possess a wide variety of instrumental values (e.g., cultural value, recreational value, medicinal value, spiritual value, transformational value, natural resource value, and ecosystem services value).
- There are two different views on the basis or grounding for intrinsic value.
- On one of these views, intrinsic value is created by human valuing (Callicott 1986, Elliot 1992).
- On this subjective intrinsic value view, something has intrinsic value if it is valued for what it is, rather than for what it can bring about. Subjective intrinsic value is created by valuers through their evaluative attitudes or judgments — it does not exist before or independent from these.
- Because of this, it is, like instrumental value, conditional.
- People value a wide variety of things intrinsically (e.g., personal mementoes, cultural and religious artefacts, ceremonies and rituals, accomplishments, performances, and historical sites) and they do so for a variety of reasons (e.g., for what an entity represents, what it embodies, its rarity, its history, or its beauty).
- Because it is reason-oriented, subjective intrinsic valuing is not arbitrary and it is open to evaluation — as well as revision — through education and persuasion. In this way, it is distinguished from mere preferences or tastes.
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