Dignity

Another post about Dignity, since it has generated some discussion.

Dignity is not actually a Right. I believe the goal of every Government is to protect and develop the Dignity of its citizens. It is too strong to speak about the Right to Dignity, too abstract, not pragmatic enough.

I understand Dignity as the funding element of Constitutions and Human Rights. It is the first Principle in any legal system. It is a source of Law, I mean, at the level of Common Good. A State needs to be solidly build over a strong basement, and many fundamental texts propose Human Dignity.

It is not possible to say that a particular Goverment allows undignifying practices as they motivate (or scare) others. I cant really understand the "Right to Fail", unless there is something hidden to me in this expression.

The picture shows the three Wise Kings coming from Middle East with a bicycle for Matthew. La foto es del abuelo.

Wolves

The relationship between a mountain goat and the concept of dignity belongs to the world of myths and symbols. I have seen such myth and symbol in mountainous areas, such as north Spain and the Alps. Mountain goats live in the mountains in silence and don’t like contact with human beings. They move graciously, fast and in groups. This behavior is often characterized as full of dignity. Another animal that shares this symbol and myth is the wolf, especially after some biologists in the 80s changed the negative perception.

Furthermore, dignity was never a concept to be defined. It is the essence of the United Nations Human Rights. It is also the essence of the French Revolution in 1789. Germany’s Fundamental Law1949 claims the essence is dignity as an intangible concept. Spanish Constitution article 10 in 1976 claims the main right is dignity. Besides many other Constitutions, the Christian “Pacem in terries” substitutes God’s action by universal dignity. Helsinky Conference in 1975 claims Human Rights arise from inherent human dignity.

I studied these and other fundamental texts in Canada during the summer of 2005. As you can see, no text dares to define Dignity, which exists thanks to human willingness, not thanks to a rational need. I understand it as a way to achieve consensus between different cultures by avoiding the explicit action of God (and the religious diversity). This was very well summarized by a Spanish Poet: “Today is bad, but tomorrow is mine” meaning that human being is the free actor of life.

According to some people, the concept of Dignity is not universal, since two world cultures do not accept it. Saudi Arabia didn’t vote positively in 1948 (Resolution GA 217 III) because they didn’t accept the right to change religion. Also Singapore explained in 1989 that Human Rights are occidental and are not therefore based on their Buddhist values, namely, society over “I”, the value of family, the attention and the collective support of the individual. I believe in Human Dignity, not in Cultural Dignity, which is by definition universal.

Finally, I compare the concept of Dignity and the behaviour of mountain goats and wolfs. In Myanmar (a country I will explain later) there are hospitals for animals. The famous King Ashoka founded them based on universal compassion and the four essential Buddhist truths (humans reincarnate in animals and animals in human beings). I am fully aware that it is as saying that number seven is green. I am comparing objects at two different levels of perception, which makes it an intuitive comparison

Wolfs are very adaptable creatures and can be found in a variety of regions where they have been hunted by humans and are often endangered. These canids have a very complex social behaviour. Against common belief, they have never attacked humans but in very specific situations and only when sick. For some unknown reason, they never attack animals standing on two legs.

Matthew, what is your view?

Dignidad como fin ultimo - Dignity as goal

A proposito de la pobreza y de todas las iniciativas que estan siendo financiadas y ejecutadas en los paises menos desarrollados, he escrito (en ingles) que necesitan servir un fin ultimo: el respeto a la dignidad de los individuos. El principio que considero fundamental es el de la moderacion, tal como lo representa el animal de la fotografia.

Developing strategies, financing initiatives and establishing partnerships are only necessary steps to advance the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. However, not all initiatives will narrow the Digital Divide or will empower women and reduce other sources of discrimination, unless a final filter and judgement is applied: the respect for dignity.

In an effort to define strategies and tangible means to achieve the MDGs, the Secretary General has prepared a report in March 2005 titled “In larger freedom” (A/59/2005). Such report mentions three ways to achieve the MDGs, namely, development, security and human rights. All can be summarized in one: “We can increase respect for human dignity in every land“.

Dignity is mentioned in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

“[The] recognition of the inherent dignity of 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 … [The] peoples of the United Nations have ... reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.”

This definition stresses that dignity is connected to equal rights, better living conditions and larger freedom, but it doesn’t actually addresses the basics of the concept. That can be found in Immanuel Kant’s ethical philosophy:

“[Man] as a person, i.e., as the subject of a morally-practical reason, is exalted above all price. For as such a one (homo noumenon) he is not to be valued merely as a means to the ends of other people, or even to his own ends, but is to be prized as an end in himself. This is to say, he possesses a dignity (an absolute inner worth) whereby he enacts the respect of all other rational beings in the world, . . . and can esteem himself on a footing of equality with them.”

This definition stresses the fact that human being must be ends by themselves and not means for others or for themselves.

Interestingly, respect for dignity is used in very different areas to separate correct and incorrect behaviors. A good example of this is the following text extracted from UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights:

“The human genome underlies the fundamental unity of all members of the human family, as well as the recognition of their inherent dignity and diversity. In a symbolic sense, it is the heritage of humanity. . . . Everyone has a right to respect to their dignity and for their rights regardless of their genetic characteristics. . . . That dignity makes it imperative not to reduce individuals to their genetic characteristics and to respect their uniqueness and diversity. . . . Practices which are contrary to human dignity, such as reproductive cloning of human beings, shall not be permitted.”

Much depends on what is meant by “respect” and “right to be respected,” but this is a good example of using the right for dignity to claim that reproductive cloning violates this right and must therefore be banned. Dignity, or better, respect to dignity, could be therefore considered the ultimate goal of the knowledge society if it is to contribute to MDGs.