What's so special about human dignity?

Abstract

Human dignity makes demands on us. It is something we’re supposed to respect. But how? What are these demands? Many consider human dignity to require respect for the moral status of human beings. Others think it requires respect for the autonomy or moral inviolability of persons. This paper argues that dignity’s fundamental concern is with social status – or what we sometimes call “honor.” What it requires is that we avoid humiliating or degrading others, and that we help protect them from such harm, too.