Expanding the life framework of values

Journal article

Conceptualising and organising the range of value orientations and worldviews underpinning human–nature relationships is useful for understanding different, and sometimes conflicting, perspectives on how nature should be managed and working towards just and equitable policies. We test the applicability and current scope of the Life Framework of Values (living from‐, living in‐, living with‐ and living as‐nature) by aligning it with pre‐existing literature, drawn heavily from the context of wildlife management and conservation, but with wider relevance. Pre‐existing value categorisations align with the Life Framework of Values in accounting for instrumental, relational and intrinsic values of nature. However, the framework does not account for the multiple ways in which people may be considered as living against‐, living separated from‐ and living disconnected from‐/living indifferently to‐nature. By first considering these additional worldviews, we then propose the introduction of a complimentary overarching living apart from nature value frame. We identify three pathways by which people may fall within the living apart from nature frame: (1) loving nature so deeply that you choose to separate yourself from it (living separated from nature), (2) disregarding nature to the extent that you are willing to destroy it (living against nature) and (3) becoming indifferent or disconnected, a state that can emerge from modern urban lifestyles (living disconnected from‐/living indifferently to‐nature). Synthesis and applications. Including the living apart from nature frame to the Life Framework of Values allows for a more realistic and complete view of the diversity of human–nature interactions thus helping it contribute to addressing the global biodiversity crisis and transforming societies towards more sustainable pathways. Future research should focus on empirically testing the extent to which people fit discretely and consistently into Life Frames or worldviews as opposed to simultaneously holding diverse positions on different specific issues. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog

Authors: Jewell, K; Kiffner, C; Capelli, S; Ciolli, M; Martin‐Collado, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: People and Nature
• Publication date: 2026-01-27
• Acceptance date: 2026-01-09
• DOI: 10.1002/pan3.70243
• EISSN: 2575-8314
• ISSN: 2575-8314
• Language: English
• Keywords: worldview; conservation conflict; human–nature interactions; relational value; socio‐ecological conflict