Cat Among the Penguins

In this episode, we ask whether nature has intrinsic value – value in its own right, not because someone values it or finds it useful. Drawing on environmental philosophy, we unpick arguments that intrinsic value lies in humans, sentient animals, all living organisms, species, ecosystems and biodiversity.

Tell us what you think. Where do you think intrinsic value lies in nature? Has this topic sent you down the same abyss as Jenny? Please leave us a comment below this post – we’ll be discussing these in our wrap-up episode from series 1.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Recommendations from Becky:

My website, rebeccanesbit.com, has lots of resources about conservation ethics. I have written an explanation of why I believe intrinsic value lies in sentient beings, created a video about the ‘last (wo)man’ thought experiment, and compiled links to further reading.

I also have some book recommendations for you, in order of size:

There is No Point of No Return – Although I don’t agree with Naess’s underlying philosophy, I appreciate his call for transformative change.

Tickets for the Ark – If you like Cat Among the Penguins, I think you’ll enjoy my book.

Defending Biodiversity – This book offers a valuable review of seminal work in environmental philosophy, as well as putting forward a reasoned argument. You can tell how important this has been to me by the notes sticking out of it!

What’s So Good About Biodiversity? – The first half of this huge book challenges existing arguments about the intrinsic value of biodiversity, and the second half proposes an alternative. The first half resonated with me, the second less so.

Recommendations from Jenny:

Sacred Nature – this book has helped shape Jenny’s thinking.

Jenny mentioned a New Scientist video about Homo sapiens interbreeding with Neanderthals and other species. You can also read more about the challenges of defining a species.