luonnonarvo

Luonnonarvo is a Finnish term used in ethics and environmental philosophy to denote the intrinsic value of nature—the value that nature possesses in itself, independent of its usefulness to humans. This concept contrasts with instrumental value, often described in Finnish as hyötyarvo or instrumentaalinen arvo, which derives from the benefits or services nature provides to humans, such as food, materials, or recreation.

Proponents of luonnonarvo argue that individual beings (animals, plants) and ecosystems have worth beyond their utility to people, and that nature merits moral consideration regardless of human interests. The concept is closely associated with ecocentrism and deep ecology, which emphasize the intrinsic significance of the natural world and its interconnected relations. Critics note that views of intrinsic value can be vague and difficult to apply in policy, and that dissimilar normative claims about value can lead to disagreements about what should be protected.

In policy and public debate, luonnonarvo is used to justify conservation and protection measures that may not maximize short-term human benefits—biodiversity preservation, wilderness protection, and safeguarding rare ecosystems being typical examples. It is often invoked alongside other kinds of nature value, such as aesthetic or cultural significance.

Luonnonarvo is one element in a broader discussion of luontoarvot or values of nature, which include ecological, aesthetic, cultural, and utilitarian considerations. The term remains common in Finnish academic discourse and environmental rhetoric as a normative basis for protecting the natural world.