L. A. Paul

Many people fear losing one or more of their senses, and most fear losing some more than others. However, if a disability such as being without the use of a sense does not in the long run make a person worse off, then such fears may not seem reasonable, warranted, or apt. This paper argues that our senses are distinctive sources of value. In particular, our senses play an underappreciated axiological role. They figure deeply in our cares, concerns, and projects, and they are sources of final or non-instrumental value. Moreover, different senses comprise distinct collections of perceptual capacities that contribute in distinctive ways to a person’s cares, concerns, and projects. Therefore, from one’s present evaluative perspective, it makes sense to fear the loss of such a distinctive source of value, and it makes sense to fear the loss of some senses more than others, even if, after adapting, the loss of a sense does not impact one’s overall, long-term well-being.