Do humans have inherent value?

[Anomalocaris]

i don't think it makes sense to say anything has intrinsic value. There's no value without a 'valuer'. A person's value is to themselves, to other humans, possibly to pets and/or scientists. Even the market value of our elemental components depends on a market that values them. A thing can have intrinsic properties, but 'value' can't be one of them. A value CAN be non-arbitrary, such as valuing something for it's useful qualities or companionship and so on, but a valuer is still required.

Sterilize all life throughout the universe, and soon enough nothing will have any value.

Value is a human cognitive concept.   Therefore there is no value beside what is given by humans.


However, I think when people say intrinsic value, what they really means is “given there are similarities to human cognition due to shared genetic heritage, and some common formative experience that are likely shared by majority of humans,  are there values that would likely be commonly assigned or accepted”

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Of course human value diminishes with certain actions. Why else would I be a misanthrope?

Because you are worthless?