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Does Intrinsic Value Exist? (self.philosophy)

submitted 11 months ago by thepiggz to c/[email protected]

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I’m new in this community. Anyone interested in engaging with these sorts of questions? If so, share your thoughts.

My initial inclination is that intrinsic value is an illusion.

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[–] thepiggz 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I’m now considering a line of thinking where value = scarcity. Feels weird, but maybe there’s something there?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That wasn't what I was thinking of, but I think there is something to it. Even it's not an intrinsic value, it's indisputable that some scarce resources have immense value to any life form that can utilise them. That's a big factor in evolution.

But does it have "value"? What is the point of a planet with life on it against a barran rock planet or a gas giant? Why does the universe care that something is scarce?

I don't know if you know about George Carlin, but a lot of people refere to him as a philosopher. But it's also really harsh and abrasive stand-up comedy. And a few decades old.

But what if we are just here to make plastic?

[–] thepiggz 1 points 11 months ago

Hey, i’ll check that comedian out. I can guess where that plastic and scarcity in the universe argument might go.

I’ve been thinking about it more and I added my own comment about my new inclination on this.

The problem with my initial line of thinking was in craving certainty. I think intrinsic value is not so much an illusion as it is a mystery. It very well could be plastic for all we know, or it might not exist at all.