On the Intrinsic Value of Everything
Published on 2. February 2012
Book
Hardback
160 pages
978-1-4411-7792-6 (ISBN)
Description
On the Intrinsic Value of Everything is an illuminating introduction to fundamental questions in ethics. How--and to what--we 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 / Votes
"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, USAMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
341 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4411-7792-6 (9781441177926)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
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.
Content
Preface; Introduction; 1. Preliminary Matters; 2. The Possibilities; 3. The Bearers; 4. The Cutoff Question; 5. Degrees; 6. Ethics; 7. Theism and Intrinsic Value; Bibliography; Index.