Thanks for tackling such a difficult topic. I enjoyed reading your very well written essay. I have a chapter in a book I just finished called Values Matter Most. A few points I’d like to share:
1. The distinction between different kind of values as In sentimental (emotions), objective (rational), and value as the entity or property of the entity being evaluated. To complicate matters even more, there’s value as the verb, which is the process of evaluating the entity.
2. I also like to distinguish between the values (emotions) as the motive impulse that drives behavior, and the values (reasons) as the motivation for the behavior. Your excellent article demonstrates what happens, when the normative reason for action (what’s objectively good for the actor), aligns with the motivating reason for action, (what the actor feels like doing).
3. Lastly, I found that critical to ethical behavior is the principle of practical rationality. By that I mean our actions ought to be goal directed, and then rationality automatically determines the options available for our actions and objectives. To value intrinsically is irrational because it means we value without regard to consequences, leaving us with hedonism as a default goal.