A study of the value of the natural environment and its sources based on a material value theory perspective

Abstract

In various academic disciplines and contexts, the value attributed to the natural environment encompasses two primary dimensions: the economic significance, which pertains to the economic value of the natural environment, and the philosophical dimension, which refers to the intrinsic (or subjective) value of the natural environment. This paper, after scrutinizing prevalent perspectives within the academic community regarding the value of the natural environment and its origins, asserts that the labor theory of value inadequately and inaccurately captures the essence of the natural environment’s value. Consequently, the paper suggests employing the “material theory of value” as a more apt framework to elucidate the origins of the natural environment’s value. The “material value theory” centers on the reciprocal relationship between humans and nature, with the objective of fostering an equitable exchange wherein human responsibilities and obligations toward the natural environment are traded for the “value” it provides. This approach aims to establish a harmonious and balanced exchange between humanity and the natural environment.