 zobacz powiększenie | DOI 10.12887/37-2024-1-145-06 Karolina ROZMARYNOWSKA, A Key to the Moral Universe? On the Significance and Pertinence of the Concept of Dignity Cena brutto: 7,00 PLN za szt. |
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The research goal of the article is addressing the question of the ethical significance and pertinence of the concept of dignity. In her description of the crucial role of the concept in question in ethical considerations, the author points to and discusses the most important semantic connotations of dignity, such as human dignity, personal dignity, and a sense of dignity. She scrutinizes various interpretations of and ways to validate dignity, bringing up the ontic structure of the human person, the autonomy and rationality of the moral subject, and the fundamental human needs and capabilities. According to the conclusion which follows from the considerations, the ethical significance of dignity lies in that its concept (1) provides a criterion for the evaluation of human actions, attitudes, moral stances and personal capabilities, as well as a manifestation of the person’s relationship to herself and to others; (2) is the best vehicle to express moral insights (regarding what actions to take), needs (for respect from others) and desires (to be special, unrepeatable, unique); (3) posits the limits for utilitarian attitudes by protecting a “moral minimum” and preventing actions which must not be performed (either towards others or towards oneself), regardless of their potential positive outcomes, the needs of the acting subject or others, or the circumstances of the subject’s actions. A possible continuation of the present considerations might focus on addressing the current challenges to the concept of dignity and on “updating” its meaning so that the norms of which it is the source will be adequate to the current moral problems. Translated by Dorota Chabrajska Keywords: dignity, human dignity, dignity of the person, personal dignity, sense of dignity, Immanuel Kant, Robert Spaemann, Aristotle Contact: Katedra Etyki, Instytut Filozofii, Wydział Filozofii Chrześcijańskiej, Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego, ul. Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland | |
