ABSTRACT
A perfectionist about prudential value might urge that this observation should prompt people to look for a common, abstract, recipe that determines when something is good for some entity. A first problem with the uniqueness criterion is that it leaves open the possibility that there is no human nature. This would be the case if there is no capacity X unique to humans. The major difference is that Hurka's criterion focuses on the properties all humans have as living things. The exercise and development of the capacities essential to humans conditioned on their being living things is good for humans. The diminishment of the capacities essential to humans conditioned on their being living things is bad for humans. Holding the second of these claims suggests that at least one aspect of prudential value is not explained by the essence of humans.
