7 Human Dignity Flashcards
What others have to say about human dignity
The basic tenet of black consciousness is that the black man (sic) must reject all value systems that seek to make him a foreigner in the country of his birth and reduce his basic human dignity” (STEVE BIKO)
“Terrorism is contempt for human dignity” (KJELL MAGRE BONDEVIK)
“I believe at the heart of any revolution for social justice and human dignity are consent and agency, the unequivocal belief that I own my body - not the state, the church/ mosque temple, not the street and not the family” (MONA ELTAHAWY)
” So what we’re talking about here is human rights. The right to live like a human. The right to live, period. And what we’re facing in Africa, is an unprecedented threat to human dignity and equality” (BONO)
“Human Dignity is based upon freedom and freedom upon human dignity. The one pre-supposes the other” (ROLLO MAY)
“Human rights rest on human dignity. The dignity of man (sic) is an ideal worth fighting for and worth dying for” (ROBERT MAYNARD)
Two words “human dignity”. The first term we understand, the second term is relative, yet in this context it has a universal meaning
What is the Latin word for dignity and what does it mean?
From the Latin word ‘dignitas’ which means status, excellence and respect
What does dignitas mean when translated from Greek
Suggests a form of “WORTH OR VALUE” which suggests a guarantee of status in and through authority given
The western history of the definition of human dignity is intertwined with theology. Medieval philosophical tradition asserts that humankind is an
“Individual substance of a rational nature and distinguished by dignity which is conferred by God”
This was supported by the Christian concept ‘imago dei’ meaning humans are made in the image and likeness of God
Intricacies of medieval definition of human dignity
• Implies sanctity. Dignity is intrinsic and perceived to be a ‘gift’ from God
• A person’s unique value/worth is above all creation. “ONLY HUMAN KIND IS THE SUBJECT OF IMAGO DEI”
• Essentially a suggestion of divine grace
• This definition still subscribes to free-will, meaning humankind are not denied the capacity to make their own decisions and act accordingly
Kant’s definition of human dignity
• “Autonomy is the basis of the dignity of human nature and of every rational being”
• He believes that the dignity of a person as consisting precisely in “his (sic) capacity to make universal law, although only on the condition of being himself (sic) also subject to the law that he (sic) makes “
Modern moral philosophers have tried to move away from the theological towards a more secular and embracing definition of human dignity
Mette Lebech’s definitions of human dignity
“The status of human beings entitling them to respect, a status which is first and to be taken for granted. It refers to their highest value, or to the fact that they are presuppositions for value as they are those whom value makes sense”
She furthermore says
“Human dignity is the fundamental of the human being, that it can be understood as such in very different epistemological contexts typical of contemporary trends and that it can function as a basic principle for law and ethics because the value is indispensable to our experience as human beings”
Robert Adorno’s contemporary definition of human dignity :
“Human dignity captures the notion that every human being is uniquely valuable and therefore ought to be accorded the highest respect and care”
The universal definition of the term human dignity that was given in the preamble to the UDHR:
“The recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and INALIENABLE RIGHTS of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, Justice and peace in the world”
Article 1 of the universal declaration
One of the most important concepts for contemporary moral philosophy:
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”
What is meant by article 1: the universal declaration?
• means the ‘rights’ approach is underpinned and overarched by the notion of dignity
• also one of the cornerstones for the modern philosophical concept of ‘personhood’
• human dignity speaks to universality and equality, and also helps us to understand human vulnerability
• maybe we should be asking.. can you have one without the other?
State Kraynak’s observation on human dignity
The major challenge of our times is to recover a true and authentic understanding of human dignity and to defend it against threats from modern civilisation
