What Is the Value of Nature?

This article discusses the possibility of ascribing intrinsic value to ecological systems. One way of talking about the intrinsic value of something is through its inherent characteristics. The concept of closure of constraints, which plays a central role in the organizational theory of ecological functions, allows us to claim ecological systems have inherent characteristics, namely, an intrinsic teleology and normativity. In this sense, ecological systems can be considered as having intrinsic value. However, this type of value is attributed to ecological systems by us, moral agents, as it would not be possible for something to have value exclusively in itself or independently of the relation with a value-ascribing agent. Thus, by asserting ecological systems have intrinsic value, we are regarding these entities as moral patients. Accordingly, we should take them into account and our moral consideration should go far beyond an anthropocentric perspective, opening the doors to an ecocentric ethics.