How does narrative provide a better framework for ecological restoration than an approached focused on intrinsic...

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Psychology

How does narrative provide a better framework for ecologicalrestoration than an approached focused on intrinsic value?

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A cornerstone ofenvironmental policy is the debate over protecting nature forhumans sake instrumental values or for natures intrinsicvalues We propose that focusing only on instrumental orintrinsic values may fail to resonate with views on personal andcollective wellbeing or what is right with regard to natureand the environmentWithout complementaryattention to other ways that value is expressed and realized bypeople such a focus may inadvertently promote worldviews at oddswith fair and desirable futures It is time to engage seriouslywith a third class of values one with diverse roots and currentexpressions relational values By doing so we reframe thediscussion about environmental protection and open the door tonew potentially more productive policy approachesDefining Relational ValuesFew people make personalchoices based only on how things possess inherent worth or satisfytheir preferences intrinsic and instrumental valuesrespectively People also consider the appropriateness of how theyrelate with nature and with others including the actions andhabits conducive to a good life both meaningful and satisfying Inphilosophical terms these are relational values preferencesprinciples and virtues associated with relationships bothinterpersonal and as articulated by policies and socialnormsThey include eudaimonicvalues or values associated with a good life Fig 1 also seedataset for additional references throughout available atdxdoiorg1013140RG2151460560 Relational values are notpresent in things but derivative of relationships andresponsibilities to them Fig 2 In this sense an individualpreference or societal choice can be questioned or reframed basedon its consistency with core values such as justice care virtueand reciprocityFig 1The difference between theinstrumental and intrinsic value framings that dominateenvironmental literatures and relational values Whereas intrinsicvalues A pertain only to the value inherent in anobject and instrumental values A pertain to the valueof the object for a person relational values B pertainto all manner of relationships between people and nature includingrelationships that are between people but involve nature eg arelationship of impact via pollution which is mediated by awatershedRelational notions of valuesare prominent across a wide swath of humanity including classiceg Aristotelian contemporary Western Indigenous egTsawalk Sumak kawsay feminist eg careethics and Eastern philosophies eg Confucian BuddhistNotions of a good life rooted in relationships are expressed indiverse worldviews including Ubuntu in South Africa theGandhian Economy of Permanence in India Buen Vivir inseveral Latin American countries and North American back to theland movements Moreover the five moral foundations common tomany peoplepuritysanctity authorityrespect ingrouployaltyfairnessreciprocity and harmcare 2are better understoodthrough lenses of relationships and a good life than throughinstrumental or intrinsic values Pope Franciss widely reportedencyclical On Care for Our Common Home was abundant in itsexpression of relational values It matters little that intheory intrinsic and instrumental values might be See Answer

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