Quantum theory, intrinsic value, and panentheism

Environmental Ethics 10 (1):3-30 (1988)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

J. Baird Callicott seeks to resolve the problem of the intrinsic value of nature by utilizing a nondualistic paradigm derived from quantum theory. His approach is twofold. According to his less radical approach, quantum theory shows that properties once considered to be “primary” and “objective” are in fact the products of interactions between observer and observed. Values are also the products of such interactions. According to his more radical approach, quantum theory’s doctrine of internal relations is the model for the idea that everything is intrinsically valuable because the “I” is intrinsically valuable and related to everything else. I argue that humanity’s treatment of nature will become respectful only as humanity’s awareness evolves toward nondualism, and that such nondualistic awareness will not be produced by changes in scientific theory alone. Nevertheless, as Callicott suggests, such changes may be harbingers of evolutionary trends in human awareness. I conclude with a sketch of how nondualism, especially in its panentheistic version, provides the basis for environmental ethics

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 90,593

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
45 (#311,164)

6 months
2 (#668,348)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Michael E. Zimmerman
University of Colorado, Boulder

Citations of this work

Ecosemiotics and the sustainability transition.Soren Brier - 2001 - Sign Systems Studies 29 (1):219-234.

Add more citations

References found in this work

No references found.

Add more references