[at-l] "Human crap"

[texas12step at nym.hush.com (texas12step@nym.hush.com)]

> Shane Steinkamp wrote:
Rafe Bustin wrote:

>> It's important to understand that the trail exists 
>> primarily for humans, however.  I am trying to point
>> out that a certain member seems to think that the 
>> trail has a "wilderness purpose", and that's all.

> Why are you so keen to deny the "wilderness
> purpose"?   In two cases above you "Agreed"
> to my premises.  Aren't these both "wilderness
> purposes"?

> The AT is useful to humans precisely because
> it is a place where wilderness is given proper
> respect and the highest priority.  Hopefully it
> is a place that instills that same respect in
> those who go there and walk.

> The AT does not exist for the benefit of the
> spruce grouse, but if the spruce grouse were
> to disappear, its "humanocentric" purpose
> would be diminished.  Similarly for every other
> species of flora or fauna on the AT.

> I still don't see what you're hammering RnR
> about at this moment.

I think that when Shane refers to the Appalachian 
Trail's "humanocentric" purpose, he means that the trail
corridor exists to serve human *values*, or to be more
accurate, to serve the values of individual humans as
it is only individual rational beings that can place 
value (the term "human purpose" is similar to the term
"human rights" in that regard. Just as they do not 
possess rights, neither races nor society can value
things).

While many may have additional reasons for holding it 
dear -- for example, "wilderness" for its own sake --
the Appalachian Trail exists because there are people
who, at a common level, value a footpath passing 
through undeveloped land where one can hike in relative
freedom and solitude. Its future existence depends on
the continued existence of such people, and whether
they can continue to exert controlling interest.

My beef with He Who Shall Remain Nameless has little
to do with the trail per se, though it does cut to
the heart of one of the things for which I personally
value it.

TXIIS