Dignity: Its History and Meaning

Inspired by a conversation with a friend about the lack of philosophical discussion about dignity, Harvard professor Rosen looks at the different ways the word has been used throughout history. He begins with Cicero’s idea of the “honors and respectful treatment” accorded to people of a high social rank, continues with the Renaissance conception of worth or value applicable to everything created by God—humans, animals, and plants alike—and ends with Kant’s view of a strictly human value, independent of any divine authority, leading to modern times where dignity becomes the fundamental human right to be treated with respect. Rosen explores recent examples in Europe where dignity conflicts with other values, including a case upholding a ban on dwarf-tossing; a judgment against a political cartoon that ridiculed prominent politicians; and a trial against a police inspector who threatened a kidnapper to learn the victim’s location. In each case, the courts had to weigh the supposed loss of dignity against other considerations, such as the right to earn a living or be guaranteed protection from harm. He concludes by arguing that dignity as respect means people have a duty to treat corpses respectfully even though no one benefits. Rosen offers a thoughtful examination of the term’s multiple definitions and uses. (Mar.)