A conceptual map for the study of value: An initial mapping of concepts for the project ‘Human, non-human and environmental value systems: an impossible frontier?’

In lieu of an annotated bibliography, we have compiled a conceptual map for the project ‘Human, non-human and environmental value systems: an impossible frontier?’ The map itself is a visualisation of the relationship between the variety of ideas and concepts being deployed by the various researchers working on subthemes within this overarching research programme on value. The map is intended to highlight the spaces of overlap, connection and cross-fertilisation between concepts we are using in our respective case studies, while also respectfully maintaining potential points of distance and/or difference between them. The map is preceded by a glossary of concepts, in which each concept appearing on the map is briefly explained in relation to the study of value and a list of further readings on the concept provided. We are currently using the map to establish how far concepts existing in one epistemology or paradigm can travel and have utility in another. It is also a means to communicate across paradigms and ontologies in order to explore how far differences in researchers’ standpoints on how to define and study value exist as creative frontiers of theory, or as insurmountably independent positions.