Outer space natural resources and justice: a theory of appropriation off-Earth

Thesis

This thesis explores the normative implications of the exploitation of outer space natural resources. Utilizes ethical constructivism to assemble a principle of obligation, the forbearance obligation (FO), and to forward a left-libertarian theory of appropriation. It argues that appropriation of natural resources is prima facie morally permissible –hence libertarian, subject to a sufficientarian proviso –hence left-libertarian.

The argument occurs at two levels of analysis. At a general level, it contends that FO is a universal, perfect obligation, for all moral agents owe it to one another, whose corresponding universal, perfect right is the right of self-ownership, for it is held by all. Self-ownership illustrates the idea that purposeful actions performed by moral agents are rights-creating –thus justifying appropriation, whereas FO captures the set of restrictions entailed by the formula ‘general constraints on actions’ that most moral theories consider.

At a fine-grained level of analysis, ownership rights, and the right of self-ownership are unpacked in Hohfeldian incidents. Utilizing an axiomatic approach to correlativity, it contends that Hohfeldian privileges are fundamental vis-à-vis other incidents, for they endow its bearer with discretion to (not) act. Centring on the agent, it forwards a jurisdictional construal of self-ownership, as a self-owner’s authority to set the agenda for her life.

This project contributes to the literature by advancing a novel obligation-based libertarian theory, and by addressing a contemporary problem to which political theory has not devoted much attention: off-Earth appropriation. Additionally, it contributes by addressing the debate on common ownership rights over the natural world, arguing that these cannot be substantiated, and therefore this long held assumption in political theory should be discarded.

Authors: Zambrano Ramírez, JP

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-dayzej2mb
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: kantian ethics; obligation-based moral theory; libertarianism; ownership; outer space; self-ownership; sufficientarianism; natural resources
• Subjects: Libertarianism; Political science--Philosophy; Outer space--Exploration; Natural resources, Communal; Ownership; Philosophy; Justice