section_path: Role and benefits of biodiversity/Cultural and aesthetic value
section_name: Cultural and aesthetic value
paragraph_text: Cultural and aesthetic value
  
  Philosophically it could be argued that biodiversity has intrinsic aesthetic and spiritual value to mankind in and of itself. This idea can be used as a counterweight to the notion that tropical forests and other ecological realms are only worthy of conservation because of the services they provide.
  
  Biodiversity also affords many non-material benefits including spiritual and aesthetic values, knowledge systems and education.