The harm they inflict when values conflict: Why diversity does not matter

Abstract

Biodiversity and cultural diversity are frequently prioritized in policy, yet these values often conflict with the wellbeing of sentient individuals. Diversity is a relational property rather than an intrinsic moral good, often serving as an instrumental means to achieve ecosystem stability or social knowledge. However, the promotion of diversity through interventions—such as the culling of invasive species, the reintroduction of predators, or the rejection of genetic interventions to prevent disability—can inflict substantial suffering and death. While biodiversity may prevent long-term ecosystem collapse, its pursuit often relies on the continued existence of predation and other natural harms. Ethical management of natural processes must weigh uncertain future benefits against the immediate, tangible suffering of existing sentient beings. Consequently, when the harm required to maintain diversity exceeds the projected benefits to individual wellbeing, such policies should be abandoned in favor of a sentient-based approach to intervention. This shift requires recognizing non-human animals not merely as ecosystem components but as individuals with moral standing whose interests in avoiding pain and death deserve primary consideration. – AI-generated abstract.