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Plants and animals have intrinsic value beyond their utility to humans from "summary" of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
In the old days, my grandfather would take me out into the forest and teach me the names of plants and animals. He would tell me stories of how each living being was a gift from the Earth, with its own unique role to play in the web of life. He spoke of how the trees provided us with oxygen, the bees pollinated our crops, and the deer taught us about grace and beauty. As I grew older, I began to see the world through a different lens - one that valued plants and animals only for their utility to humans. I learned that trees were valuable only for their timber, bees for their honey, and deer for their meat. The idea that living beings had intrinsic value beyond their usefulness to us seemed foreign and outdated. But as I delved deeper into the teachings of my ancestors and the wisdom of the natural world, I began to understand the true significance of all living beings. I learned that plants and animals are not just resources to be exploited, but gifts to be cherished and respected. They have their own intrinsic value, independent of their utility to humans. When we see plants and animals as more than just commodities, we begin to see the world in a different light. We start to appreciate the beauty and diversity of life around us, and to recognize the interconnectedness of all living beings. We realize that we are not separate from nature, but a part of it - and that our well-being is intimately tied to the well-being of the plants and animals that share this world with us. In recognizing the intrinsic value of plants and animals, we also come to understand our responsibility to care for them. We must be stewards of the Earth, protecting and preserving the delicate balance of life that sustains us all. We must learn to live in harmony with the natural world, honoring the gifts that it has given us and giving back in return. As I look out into the forest now, I see a world teeming with life and wonder. I see the trees reaching towards the sky, the bees buzzing among the flowers, and the deer moving gracefully through the undergrowth. And I know that each of these beings has its own intrinsic value, its own unique role to play in the symphony of life. And I am grateful for the chance to be a part of it all.
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