The Philosophy of Human Dignity
Mentor 1
William Bristow
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
The language of dignity or human dignity is often used in political and ethical discourse. This state of affairs raises a basic question: What is human dignity? To address the question philosophically, more specific questions arise: What is dignity?, Who, if anyone, has dignity?, What does it mean to be human?, and Is a conception of dignity necessary (or even possible) for ethical or political discourse? These questions will be addressed through a critical presentation on historic conceptions of human dignity, focusing especially on Immanuel Kant, a key figure in this discourse and in modern ethics generally. This survey of the philosophy of human dignity will aim to clarify positions in the discourse, concluding with further questions for consideration. By the end of this presentation, a fuller and more critical picture of our idea of dignity will emerge.
The Philosophy of Human Dignity
The language of dignity or human dignity is often used in political and ethical discourse. This state of affairs raises a basic question: What is human dignity? To address the question philosophically, more specific questions arise: What is dignity?, Who, if anyone, has dignity?, What does it mean to be human?, and Is a conception of dignity necessary (or even possible) for ethical or political discourse? These questions will be addressed through a critical presentation on historic conceptions of human dignity, focusing especially on Immanuel Kant, a key figure in this discourse and in modern ethics generally. This survey of the philosophy of human dignity will aim to clarify positions in the discourse, concluding with further questions for consideration. By the end of this presentation, a fuller and more critical picture of our idea of dignity will emerge.
