Value Objectivist with a Twist

As discussed in Palmers “An Overview of environmental ethics”, Value objectivists believe that value is not something that humans create, yet something that already existing in the world.  One concern however is the question of what actually is of intrinsic value.  Palmer suggested the ability for something to flourish seemed reasonable.  I believe however, that value can be found deeper within things.

            The value of an earthly thing, no matter living or not is relative to that things ability to conduct, convert or exchange energy.  The entire planet is one biosphere, which is continuously cycling its resources within itself, and for itself.  The unifying quality that functions throughout all things is energy, and each specific way that it passes energy.             

Energy is the very reason why human beings consume our breakfast lunch and dinner, and the same reason why birds eat seeds, lions eat antelope, plants need sun, because every living thing has energy level (value if you will), which is as unique as each thing itself.  Living things need energy to live, and receive and transfer it to themselves, all metabolizing differently, at different speeds and rhythms. 

            To judge the value of something one would judge the energy qualities of something, and how useful the energy level it contains, the energy transfers it can perform or simply it conducting qualities.  All things on this earth manipulate energy and this very energy has value or importance to the energy-consuming organisms around.  Animals will eat the healthiest looking crop in the forest; trees can grow up and out of a permanently shaded place to reach light, and human beings use energy in every way possible.  Energy is constantly moving throughout all things within this biosphere and is necessary to sustain life, can be passed indirectly through non-living things.  It can be held, used, transferred. 

            It seems instinctual to value what sustains, drives and provides for all life.

And yes florishing needs energy, but energy doesn’t always cause flourishing, but always cause cycling.