Analysis On Relationship Between The Intrinsic Value Of Nature And Human Beings

There are two kinds of intrinsic values,that is,the intrinsic value of nature and that of human beings.The relationship between the two constitutes the basis of ecological ethics.The traditional axiology holds that “value” is unique to human society,and the subject(man)is the necessary prerequisite for the existence of "value".After clearing some important axiological theories in history,the author holds that value is the utility and significance of the object to the needs and development of a certain subject.On the other hand,naturalism holds that non-human life in nature has equal axiological status with human beings.Based on this,the concept of “value” is introduced into nature and the theory of intrinsic value of nature is put forward.Essentially,this theory breaks the traditional theory of value and redefines the relationship between nature and human beings.Summarizing some representative theories of naturalism,this dissertation holds that the intrinsic value of nature is the purposeful value which does not depend on the subject evaluation because of the inherent attribute of natural object.In his ethical proposition of “man is the purpose”,Kant pointed out that human beings have intrinsic value.Kant believes that man,as the carrier of reason,is the only rational creature in the universe.Reason takes itself as its purpose,and man has become the purpose itself because of his reason,that is to say,man has intrinsic value.Reason endows man with a supreme sacred status,making him the moral subject of self-disciplined will.Man can set up moral laws for himself and abide by them,so he is absolutely free.Taking "man" as the research object,Zhao Tingyang also put forward the theory of “self-purpose”,believing that man has a life for his own purpose,and the purpose of life should be people-oriented.The so-called happy life is to carry out various activities for the purpose of life itself.This dissertation analyzes the relationship between the intrinsic value of nature and that of human beings,and further finds out the difference and identity between these two intrinsic values.The intrinsic value of life self-interest is the link between these two intrinsic values,because the existence of any life is based on the premise of the maintenance of life.The formation of ecological ethics is based on the inherent value of human beings.Human rationality makes people have moral ability,and moral force drives people to extend moral concern to nature,so that the good moral characters in interpersonal morality can be spread to the communication between nature and human beings.