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As a part of a research project on Dignity and Older Europeans (Fifth Framework (Quality of Life) Programme3) I explore in this paper a set of notions of human dignity. The general concept of dignity is introduced and characterized as a position on a value scale and it is further specified through its relations to the notions of right, respect and self-respect. I present four kinds of dignity and spell out their differences: the dignity of merit, the dignity of moral or existential stature, the dignity of identity and the universal human dignity (Menschenwürde). Menschenwürde pertains to all human beings to the same extent and cannot be lost as long as the persons exist. The dignity of merit depends on social rank and position. There are many species of this kind of dignity and it is very unevenly distributed among human beings. The dignity of merit exists in degrees and it can come and go. The dignity of moral stature is the result of the moral deeds of the subject; likewise it can be reduced or lost through his or her immoral deeds. This kind of dignity is tied to the idea of a dignified character and of dignity as a virtue. The dignity of moral stature is a dignity of degree and it is also unevenly distributed. The dignity of identity is tied to the integrity of the subject's body and mind, and in many instances, although not always, also dependent on the subject's self-image. This dignity can come and go as a result of the deeds of fellow human beings and also as a result of changes in the subject's body and mind.
Hall S, Dodd RH, Higginson IJ. Maintaining dignity for residents of care homes: a qualitative study of the views of care home staff, community nurses, residents and their families. Geriatr Nurs. 2014;35:55–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2013.10.012 Resident: I’m dying. Assistant nurse: No, who has said that? Resident: I have. Assistant nurse, leaning over the bed, asks: Do you feel unwell? Or just feel old? She speaks calmly and allows long pauses. Resident: I’m scared. Assistant nurse: I understand. You can only take it one day at a time, can’t you? (Observation of resident, 90 years) United Nations. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights. Accessed 14 Mar 2022.Serving nutritious and appetising food is of course vital to promoting health and wellbeing. It can also have important effect on a person's self-esteem – their sense of being listened to and being treated with respect. Grace is 89 and is struggling to manage at home. She has become very forgetful and, more recently, unsteady on her feet. Her son, George, is worried she may fall. Grace and George are visiting care homes in the area, but she’s very worried about the thought of moving.
A philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment (18th century), Immanuel Kant held that there were things that should not be discussed in terms of value, and that these things could be said to have dignity. ' Value' is necessarily relative, because the value of something depends on a particular observer's judgment of that thing. Things that are not relative–that are "ends in themselves", in Kant's terminology–are by extension beyond all value, and a thing is an end in itself only if it has a moral dimension; if it represents a choice between right and wrong. In Kant's words: " Morality, and humanity as capable of it, is that which alone has dignity." [19] Specifically with respect to human dignity, which his writings brought from relative obscurity in Western philosophy into a focal point for philosophers, Kant held that "free will" is essential; human dignity is related to human agency, the ability of humans to choose their own actions. [20] Mortimer Adler and Alan Gewirth [ edit ] The Swiss Federal Constitution provides in article 7 that "Human dignity must be respected and protected." [66] It also provides, in art. 120, that the state must "take account of the dignity of living beings as well as the safety of human beings, animals and the environment" when legislating on the use of reproductive and genetic material; [67] consequently the Federal Ethics Commission on Non-Human Biotechnology (ECNH) issued, in 2008, a publication entitled "The dignity of living beings with regard to plants". [68] See also [ edit ]On Sunday, I had an old colleague here with me. It was so incredibly enjoyable! At night I lay down and thought of lots of things, because that’s how memories come to life. (Interview with resident, 88 years)
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