Who Owns the Moon?: In Defence of Humanity's Common Interests in Space

by A. C. Grayling

Overview

A Defence of Our Intergalactic Common Interests

As the world's superpowers and corporations jostle for control in space, A. C. Grayling asks: who really owns our planet?

'Grayling brings satisfying order to daunting subjects.' STEVEN PINKER

Silicon for microchips; manganese for batteries; titanium for missiles.

The moon contains a wealth of natural resources. So, as the Earth’s supplies have begun to dwindle, it is no surprise that the world’s superpowers and wealthiest corporations have turned their eyes to the stars. As this new Space Race begins, A.C. Grayling asks: who, if anyone, owns the moon? Or Mars? Or other bodies in near space? And what do those superpowers and corporations owe to Planet Earth and its inhabitants as a whole?

From feudal common land, through the rules of the sea, to the vast, nationless expanse of Antarctica, Grayling explores the history of the places which no one, and therefore everyone, owns. Examining the many ways this so-called terra nullius has fallen victim to ‘the tragedy of the commons’ – the tendency for communal resources to be exploited by a few individuals for personal gain at the expense of everyone else – Who Owns the Moon? puts forward a compelling argument for a bold new global consensus, one which recognises and defends the rights of everyone who lives on this planet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780861547258
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	344,719
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

A. C. Grayling is the Founder and Principal of the New College of the Humanities at Northeastern University, London, and its Professor of Philosophy. Among his many books are The God Argument, Democracy and Its Crisis, The History of Philosophy, The Good State and The Frontiers of Knowledge. He has been a regular contributor to The Times, Guardian, Financial Times, Independent on Sunday, Economist, New Statesman, Prospect and New European. He appears frequently on radio and TV, including Newsnight and CNN News. He lives in London.

Editorial Reviews

'There's much we can apply from our terrestrial past to our murky future in space... A useful review of relevant international history and law.' —TLS

‘Perhaps the most intriguing book title to have landed on my desk in the past few weeks.’ —Tablet, Books to Look Forward to in 2024

'Who Owns the Moon? is an important introductory text on the issues and challenges that humanity will have to confront as it ventures to the Moon and beyond.' —Nature

'The discussion illuminates fascinating legal issues surrounding ownership, sovereignty, and areas of common interest... With the combination of humanity’s rapid technological advances and a propensity for greed and competition, it is almost certain that valuable resources will be discovered and argued over. Will this trigger hostilities, a new arms race, even war?' —Booklist

From the Publisher

‘An enthusiastic thinker who embraces humour, common sense and lucidity.’

Independent on For the Good of the World

‘Grayling is particularly good at illuminating the knottiness of moral discourse.’

Sunday Times on For the Good of the World

2024-01-30
An assessment of the possibilities for a multinational agreement on the regulation of space.

Grayling, the eminent British philosopher, worries about the planetary impact of the human pursuit of “profit and advantage.” The author claims that the prospect of valuable minerals on the moon and the planets, the commercial and military possibilities of low and medium Earth orbit, and the territorial longings of nation-states are likely to breed competition and conflict. Grayling particularly fears a repeat of what occurred in the late 19th century when powerful countries colonized Africa for wealth and territory—a problematic comparison on many levels. The 1967 United Nations’ Outer Space Treaty is inadequate regarding both the militarization of space and its exploitation by private enterprise. Any new international treaty must be carefully tailored to how space should be managed, include all nations as signatories, be supported by a central body with monitoring capabilities and enforcement powers, and benefit all humanity. In this way, “although no one owns the moon…we will all be responsible for it.” Space will thereby become “the common possession of humanity.” To this end, Grayling examines current international treaties that govern two similar realms: the oceans and Antarctica. He searches for language that will garner wide consensus and be legally enforceable. Despite his pessimism that the international order “is an anarchy of self-interests only tenuously constrained by expediencies,” Grayling believes that creating an informed public and crafting treaties and conventions through the U.N. can prevent space from turning into “yet another but even larger arena of human conflict.” His appeal to the reasonableness of people and nations, though, is a weak basis for a sustainable agreement. His argument is aspirational, and the book is mainly background for a more in-depth discussion.

A primer of legal terminology and a plea for recognizing the potential dangers of space exploration.

Kirkus Reviews