请问上句中用粗体写的在整个句中有什么语法功能？

But also, we may understand it as pointing to the deeper issue of preserving some of our traditional values when they are worth keeping, judged by welfare for every member in society.
请问上句中用粗体写的在整个句中有什么语法功能？
谢谢！！

貌似同位语，解释和说明作用吧！

这是来自一篇考研真题范文里的， 希望各位大哥大姐帮忙解决啊！