IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/envval/v18y2009i1p5-32.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Moral Worth of Creatures: Neo-Classical Metaphysics and the Value Theories of Rolston and Callicott

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco Benzoni

Abstract

After showing that Rolston's and Callicott's value theories are fundamentally flawed, I demonstrate that a value theory grounded in neoclassical, or process, metaphysics avoids the problems in, and incorporates insights from, these accounts. A fundamental thesis of neoclassical metaphysics is that individual creatures at all levels of reality (from non-sensuous, non-conscious to self-conscious) are subjects of experience. Since individuals are subjects, this value theory meets Callicott's legitimate demand that value requires a valuer. And because such subjectivity does not depend on consciousness, this theory meets Rolston's legitimate demand that intrinsic value not depend upon human valuation.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Benzoni, 2009. "The Moral Worth of Creatures: Neo-Classical Metaphysics and the Value Theories of Rolston and Callicott," Environmental Values, , vol. 18(1), pages 5-32, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envval:v:18:y:2009:i:1:p:5-32
    DOI: 10.3197/096327109X404717
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3197/096327109X404717
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.3197/096327109X404717?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:envval:v:18:y:2009:i:1:p:5-32. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.