Philosophy Consequentialism Questions Medium
In consequentialism, intrinsic and instrumental value are two distinct concepts that help determine the moral worth of actions and their consequences.
Intrinsic value refers to the inherent worth or goodness of something in and of itself. It suggests that certain things or states of affairs have value independent of their consequences. For example, happiness, pleasure, or human rights might be considered intrinsically valuable in consequentialism. In this view, these values are desirable in and of themselves, regardless of any other outcomes they may lead to.
On the other hand, instrumental value refers to the value or worth of something as a means to an end. It suggests that certain things or states of affairs have value only because they lead to or bring about other desirable outcomes. For example, money, education, or healthcare might be considered instrumentally valuable in consequentialism. These values are seen as valuable because they contribute to achieving other desirable consequences.
To summarize, the main difference between intrinsic and instrumental value in consequentialism lies in their respective sources of value. Intrinsic value is derived from the inherent worth of something, while instrumental value is derived from the usefulness or contribution of something towards achieving other desirable outcomes.