intrinsicist

Intrinsicist refers to a philosophical stance concerning the nature of value. An intrinsicist argues that some things possess value in and of themselves, independent of their usefulness or relation to other things. This inherent value is considered an end in itself, rather than a means to an end. For example, happiness or knowledge might be considered intrinsically valuable by an intrinsicist, meaning they are good for their own sake.

In contrast to instrumentalism, which holds that value is solely derived from an object's ability to achieve other desirable outcomes, intrinsicism posits a foundational layer of value that is not contingent on external factors. This view often plays a role in ethical theories, where intrinsicists might identify certain states or actions as having inherent moral worth. The debate between intrinsicism and instrumentalism concerns the fundamental source and nature of value in the world.