MA Thesis Defense: Peden Sager

‘Nature is instrumental to our survival: an expansion of instrumental value in environmental ethics’
Peden Sager (Cal State Long Beach)
11 Jun 2024 •  11:00am–1:00pm  •  MHB–915

Abstract: Climate change is an unprecedented problem that existing ethical frameworks do not sufficiently address. We need an updated approach that values nature in a way that compels us to mitigate climate change, rather than contribute to it. Traditionally, we have valued nature instrumentally, for its usefulness to humans. But this approach undervalues nature and has led to the current climate crisis. Aldo Leopold and Holmes Rolston III each propose that, instead, nature has intrinsic value, or value in itself. While this seems to raise nature’s status, it is not useful in practice. Instead of relying on nature’s intrinsic value, we should expand the instrumental value approach to acknowledge nature’s importance in sustaining human life. Such an expansion creates an ongoing relation between humans and nature that we can use to properly prioritize our various interests. This expanded approach is usable, appealing, and properly values nature so that we will mitigate climate change.

Oral defenses are open to the public.

For a draft copy of the thesis in advance, please contact Peden <peden.sager01@student.csulb.edu> directly.