ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a clarification and defence of the claim that it is the good of the various items which have moral standing which is of intrinsic value, and thus supplies the underlying reasons for action in morality. It introduces the notion of intrinsic value, defends it against misunderstandings, shows that it has application and relates it to the good of persons and other morally considerable beings. The chapter discusses the theory that nothing but the conscious states of valuers and the objects of such states can be of value, and the distinct theory that value-talk consists in nothing but talk about the attitudes of valuers. The collapse of intuitionism reopens the possibility of reasoning about intrinsic value. The kinds of things which can be of intrinsic value are not objects, people or other creatures, but experiences, activities and the development of capacities; or, more generally, states of affairs.
