Final answer:
Something valuable in itself is said to be intrinsically valuable. Intrinsic value is appreciated for its own essence rather than for its utility as a means to an end, with philosophical discussions around monism and pluralism exploring its fundamentality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Something that is valuable in itself, rather than as a means to something else, is intrinsically valuable. Intrinsic value refers to the quality of being valued for its own sake, not for its utility in achieving some other end. This contrasts with extrinsic value, where something is valued for the means it provides towards achieving something else of value.
Philosophers like Aristotle considered happiness to possess intrinsic value, as it is an end in itself and not pursued for the sake of something else.
Monism and pluralism address whether there is a single fundamental intrinsic value or multiple intrinsic values that contribute to the foundation of all other values. Additionally, a 'good will' as described by Kant is another example of intrinsic value, emphasizing the importance of intention over outcomes.
Consequentialist and non-consequentialist theories of ethics diverge on the basis of intrinsic vs instrumental value, where the former makes decisions based on outcomes and the latter focuses on the intrinsic properties of actions themselves.