Beauty-Driven Morality

Abstract

Certain individuals prioritize the aesthetic value of nature over the suffering it contains. This “beauty-driven morality” values the complexity and intricacy of ecosystems, finding them so elegant that their preservation supersedes concerns about individual animal suffering. This perspective contrasts sharply with care/harm-based morality, which prioritizes reducing suffering. While beauty-driven morality may arise from aesthetic reward circuits in the brain, ultimately the conflict between these moral frameworks reflects differing fundamental values. Although these values may be irreconcilable, strategic compromises and a degree of tolerance may be necessary to navigate differing moral priorities. – AI-generated abstract.