IB ESS HL HL.c.5 Intrinsic value Question Bank
Practise IB ESS HL HL.c.5 by applying intrinsic value concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- identify the relevant environmental system, process or evidence
- apply the correct ESS concept and explain the causal relationship
- evaluate the outcome using ecological, social or management evidence
HL.c.5—Intrinsic value question 1
[Maximum number: 6]
Ecocentrics recognise that all species have an intrinsic value.
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of using intrinsic value when making decisions about development and conservation.
Definition [1 max]:
intrinsic value of a species refers to its aesthetic/ethical/spiritual/ecological/intangible importance;
The use of detailed examples of species to support the answers should be credited in the Eol, not as a marking point.
A definition is not required and may be found within the rest of the answer.
Strengths:
attaching intrinsic value to species that have no economic value can prevent them being overlooked in decision making;
deep ecologists argue that all species have rights and attributing intrinsic value supports this principle;
...and prevent collapse of ecosystems/loss of biodiversity/aesthetic degradation;
Intrinsic value is likely to promote ecosystem/in situ conservation so preserving whole habitats and many species; public perception of intrinsic value is often crucial to the success of conservation efforts; some argue that all species have rights and their intrinsic value needs to be considered;
a wide variety of ecosystems can be conserved as each species has intrinsic value rather than just charismatic species; educating people with respect to intrinsic value will encourage people to respect even species considered a pest which would help in conservation efforts;
Weaknesses:
Decisions usually have an economic aspect and intrinsic value has no economic value;
intrinsic value is not recognised by some value systems/ anthropocentric / technocentric causing conflicts in decision making;
intrinsic value given to a species may vary amongst social groups according to their aesthetic/ethical/spiritual values / different tribal groups have different totems; animal rights activists/environmental NGOs may hinder economically important projects (animal husbandry/testing/construction of buildings) on the ground of species' intrinsic value; applying the ideals associated with intrinsic value may overlook significant human needs (e.g. where human rights may be overlooked / spread of disease/pest organisms);"
Marking guidance:
Award [4 max] if only strengths, or only weaknesses are given.
All question bank results loaded