Methodological notes for decolonizing dignity in the common goods’ configuration of justice

Abstract

In the current wave of movements advocating for the protection of the Commons in the Global South, this article asserts that the attainment of human dignity is inherently tied to acknowledging the dignity of all life forms, a concept termed as “the-more-than-human”. The article presents a dual argument. Firstly, it contends that without recognizing the dignity of all life, genuine human dignity remains unachievable. Secondly, it calls for the decolonization of the philosophical foundations that prioritize a singular model of dignity for humanity. Consequently, the article emphasizes the necessity of acknowledging multiple dignities to effectively safeguard the Commons from both legal and philosophical perspectives. It argues that prevailing philosophical frameworks of human dignity present obstacles to the protection of the Commons hence it advocates for their reevaluation and restructuring.