Ethics and the Commons

This open access book engages with the topic of how ethical values are involved in every intentional human action – both in research, governance and civil society. The question of this book is: what ethical values, challenges, and actions are associated with the commons and commoning? Do commons have a specific ethical and moral orientation? How can we engage with different and plural orientations? While the ethical values of commons may be implied, they are rarely made explicit or linked to ethical claims or theories in philosophy. This book aims to build awareness around the different ethical values, positions, and perspectives linked to commons, common property, and commoning research and practice. Building ethical awareness can help scholars strengthen their tools and skills for analyzing commons. Similarly, improved ethical awareness can give scholars a range of philosophical arguments to navigate and justify links between commons and their ethical values, actions, and outcomes orientations.