I was struck by the idea of life, particularly human life not having intrinsic value when reading some of Ayn Rand’s thoughts on the subject. The idea that human life doesn’t have intrinsic value hit me like a ton of bricks, probably due to the Judeo-Christian culture in which I was raised, and the evolutionary reasons for thinking it does. I found a summary of her thoughts from a page on environmentalism:
"“The intrinsic theory,” charges Ayn Rand, “divorces the concept of ‘good’ from beneficiaries, and the concept of ‘value’ from valuer and purpose—claiming that the good is good in, by, and of itself” (Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, p. 21). But, in fact, she observes, “The concept ‘value’ is not a primary; it presupposes an answer to the question: of value to whom and for what?” (, p. 16)
Values exist in a hierarchy, some being pursued only because they are means to other, higher ends. This implies the existence of an ultimate end that grounds the hierarchy. “Without an ultimate goal or end, there can be no lesser goals or means. . . . It is only an ultimate goal, an end in itself, that makes the existence of values possible” (, p. 17). Things qualify as good or evil, valuable or detrimental, only insofar as they serve or frustrate the ultimate value; and the ultimate value is one’s life. “Man must choose his actions, values and goals by the standard of that which is proper to man—in order to achieve, maintain, fulfill and enjoy that ultimate value, that end in itself, which is his own life” (, p. 27)."
http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_environmentalism
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think human life has intrinsic value? What would Mises say on the subject, just that value is subjective and up to the individual doing the valuing?