Ethics of Ownership?

This lab invites students to investigate what it means to own something—and what should or shouldn’t be ownable. Drawing on diverse perspectives, students analyze real-world cases about property and ethics, from gene patents and creative works to water rights and nonhuman beings. Working collaboratively, we ask: What are the consequences of claiming ownership of things? Is ownership protective or exploitative? Are there other ways of protecting and valuing things without making them items of private property? Student teams will conduct ethical research into domains of contested property, including interviews with diverse stakeholders, creating a project for the public good.

This course is offered in collaboration with Humanities Lab.