Usually cited as the weakest approach to avoiding the tragedy of the commons is the morality and ethics approach. This approach encourages people to change their attitudes and beliefs towards a more environmentally friendly one, through the assertion that overexploitation of natural resources is morally and ethically wrong.

Values and beliefs are intrinsic in nature and as such motivate people to act without and external factor or reward. by instilling cooperative values and environmentally friendly mentalities, the tragedy of the commons can be successfully avoided. However, it is not easy to change the beliefs of an entire population, and often when beliefs are forced onto people it is rejected.