Human dignity is an ideal with remarkably shallow roots - Aeon
The Inherent Worth: A Philosophical and Practical Analysis of Human Dignity
The concept of human dignity is more than a legal term; it is a guiding principle for how individuals live and interact. It suggests that human beings have a special value that is not earned, but inherent, regardless of race, gender, status, or ability. This inherent worth provides the primary justification for individual rights and the universal duty to respect others. 2. Philosophical Foundations
Much of the modern understanding of dignity stems from the Enlightenment, particularly the work of Immanuel Kant.