Dignity Dictionary
Explore the vocabulary of human worth. A comprehensive guide to the foundational, legal, and emerging concepts in Dignity Rights.
"The intrinsic worth of all human beings, serving as the moral and legal foundation for universal human rights."
Source Citation:McCrudden, C. (2008). Human dignity and judicial interpretation of human rights. European Journal of International Law, 19 (4), 655–724.
Dignity
Foundational PrinciplesThe intrinsic worth of all human beings, serving as the moral and legal foundation for universal human rights.
Citation:McCrudden, C. (2008). Human dignity and judicial interpretation of human rights. European Journal of International Law, 19 (4), 655–724.
Inherent Worth
Foundational PrinciplesThe non-contingent value of each person, not dependent on merit or circumstance.
Citation:Beyleveld, D., & Brownsword, R. (2001). Human Dignity in Bioethics and Biolaw. Oxford University Press.
Human Rights
Foundational PrinciplesThe codified entitlements arising from dignity, ensuring protection of life, liberty, and equality.
Citation:Donnelly, J. (2013). Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice. Cornell University Press.
Autonomy
Foundational PrinciplesThe right to self-determination and informed decision-making in moral and legal contexts.
Citation:O’Neill, O. (2002). Autonomy and Trust in Bioethics. Cambridge University Press.
Respect
Foundational PrinciplesRecognition of another’s dignity through attitudes and practices that affirm equality.
Citation:Sensen, O. (2011). Kant on Human Dignity. De Gruyter.
Constitutional Dignity
Legal and Political DimensionsThe formal recognition of dignity as a constitutional right and interpretive principle.
Citation:Barak, A. (2015). Human Dignity: The Constitutional Value and the Constitutional Right. Cambridge University Press.
Dignity Jurisprudence
Legal and Political DimensionsJudicial reasoning that defines and applies dignity in human rights law.
Citation:Rao, N. (2011). Three Concepts of Dignity in Constitutional Law. Notre Dame Law Review, 86 (1), 183–271.
Balancing Rights
Legal and Political DimensionsA legal process to reconcile conflicts between dignity and other protected freedoms.
Citation:Alexy, R. (2002). A Theory of Constitutional Rights. Oxford University Press.
Proportionality Principle
Legal and Political DimensionsThe requirement that state interference with rights must be appropriate and necessary.
Citation:Klatt, M., & Meister, M. (2012). The Constitutional Structure of Proportionality. Oxford University Press.
Restorative Justice
Legal and Political DimensionsJustice aimed at restoring dignity through accountability and community repair.
Citation:Zehr, H. (2002). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Good Books.
Social Dignity
Social DignityThe public manifestation of self-worth in societal interaction.
Citation:Jacobson, N. (2007). Dignity and health: A review. Social Science & Medicine, 64 (2), 292–302.
Economic Dignity
Social DignityThe assurance of material conditions that enable autonomy and self-respect.
Citation:Summers, L. (2019). Economic Dignity. Foreign Affairs, 98 (2), 12–20.
Bodily Integrity
Social DignityThe inviolability of the human body against physical coercion or intrusion.
Citation:Macklin, R. (2003). Dignity is a useless concept. BMJ, 327 (7429), 1419–1420.
Empowerment
Social DignityProcesses enabling individuals to reclaim agency and affirm their dignity.
Citation:Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press.
Marginalization
Social DignitySystemic exclusion denying individuals recognition and dignity.
Citation:Fraser, N. (2000). Rethinking recognition. New Left Review, 3, 107–120.
Bioethics
Health, Environment, and TechnologyThe discipline addressing moral dilemmas in life sciences where dignity is central.
Citation:Beauchamp, T., & Childress, J. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Dignified Care
Health, Environment, and TechnologyMedical treatment that honors individuality and humanity.
Citation:Jacobson, N. (2009). A taxonomy of dignity. Qualitative Health Research, 19 (3), 293–304.
Digital Dignity
Health, Environment, and TechnologyThe preservation of autonomy, privacy, and identity in digital spaces.
Citation:Floridi, L. (2013). The Ethics of Information. Oxford University Press.
AI Ethics
Health, Environment, and TechnologyNormative principles ensuring AI systems respect human dignity and rights.
Citation:Jobin, A., Ienca, M., & Vayena, E. (2019). The global landscape of AI ethics guidelines. Nature Machine Intelligence, 1 (9), 389–399.
Environmental Dignity
Health, Environment, and TechnologyRecognition of the interdependence of human and ecological well-being.
Citation:Bosselmann, K. (2016). The Principle of Sustainability. Routledge.
Universalism
Global and Cultural DimensionsThe idea that dignity and rights are valid across all human societies.
Citation:Donnelly, J. (2007). The relative universality of human rights. Human Rights Quarterly, 29 (2), 281–306.
Cultural Relativism
Global and Cultural DimensionsThe perspective that dignity and rights depend on cultural context.
Citation:Merry, S. E. (2006). Human Rights and Gender Violence. University of Chicago Press.
Solidarity
Global and Cultural DimensionsCommitment to others’ dignity as an expression of shared humanity.
Citation:Bayertz, K. (1999). Solidarity: Philosophical Studies. Springer.
Subsidiarity
Global and Cultural DimensionsThe principle that decisions should be made at the most local dignity-respecting level.
Citation:Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2004). Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Dignity in Diversity
Global and Cultural DimensionsValuing cultural and individual difference as integral to dignity.
Citation:Nussbaum, M. (2011). Creating Capabilities: The Human Development Approach. Harvard University Press.
Imago Dei
Ethical and Philosophical FoundationsTheological view that humans possess dignity because they reflect the divine image.
Citation:Sacks, J. (2002). The Dignity of Difference. Continuum.
Moral Agency
Ethical and Philosophical FoundationsThe capacity for ethical reasoning and responsible action.
Citation:Gewirth, A. (1992). Human Rights: Essays on Justification and Applications. University of Chicago Press.
Virtue Ethics
Ethical and Philosophical FoundationsA framework emphasizing moral character in upholding dignity.
Citation:MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue. University of Notre Dame Press.
Humiliation
Ethical and Philosophical FoundationsA denial or violation of dignity through degrading acts.
Citation:Lindner, E. (2006). Making Enemies: Humiliation and International Conflict. Praeger.
Eudaimonia (Flourishing)
Ethical and Philosophical FoundationsThe realization of human potential and dignity through virtuous living.
Citation:Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics.
Digital Surveillance
Contemporary ChallengesSystematic observation that threatens privacy and dignity.
Citation:Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. PublicAffairs.
Posthuman Dignity
Contemporary ChallengesPhilosophical exploration of dignity in a transhumanist future.
Citation:Bostrom, N. (2005). In Defense of Posthuman Dignity. Bioethics, 19 (3), 202–214.
Algorithmic Bias
Contemporary ChallengesDiscrimination embedded in automated systems that undermine dignity.
Citation:Noble, S. (2018). Algorithms of Oppression. NYU Press.
Climate Justice
Contemporary ChallengesIntegrating human dignity into global environmental governance.
Citation:Gardiner, S. (2011). A Perfect Moral Storm. Oxford University Press.
Intersectionality
Contemporary ChallengesRecognition that dignity violations intersect across race, gender, and class.
Citation:Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the margins. Stanford Law Review, 43 (6), 1241–1299.
Right to Dignity
Rights in PracticeCodified entitlement to be treated with respect by law and state.
Citation:United Nations (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1.
Workplace Dignity
Rights in PracticeRespectful treatment and recognition within employment structures.
Citation:Hodson, R. (2001). Dignity at Work. Cambridge University Press.
Educational Dignity
Rights in PracticePedagogical approaches that affirm student worth.
Citation:Noddings, N. (2013). Caring: A Relational Approach to Ethics and Moral Education. University of California Press.
Prison Dignity
Rights in PracticeRights and humane treatment of incarcerated individuals.
Citation:Liebling, A. (2011). Moral performance, inhuman treatment and prison pain. Punishment & Society, 13 (5), 530–550.
Healthcare Dignity
Rights in PracticeEthical standards ensuring patient autonomy and compassion.
Citation:Nordenfelt, L. (2004). The varieties of dignity. Health Care Analysis, 12 (2), 69–81.
Human Development
Development and PolicyExpansion of people’s freedoms to live dignified lives.
Citation:Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press.
Capability Approach
Development and PolicyFramework assessing dignity via people’s opportunities and freedoms.
Citation:Nussbaum, M. (2000). Women and Human Development. Cambridge University Press.
Poverty of Dignity
Development and PolicyDeprivation not just of resources but of recognition and agency.
Citation:Appadurai, A. (2004). The capacity to aspire. In Culture and Public Action. Stanford University Press.
Policy Dignity Framework
Development and PolicyUsing dignity as a guiding principle in law and governance.
Citation:Fukuyama, F. (2018). Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment. Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Neuroethics
Emerging FrontiersEthical reflection on dignity in neuroscience and cognitive enhancement.
Citation:Racine, E. (2010). Pragmatic Neuroethics. MIT Press.
Data Dignity
Emerging FrontiersValuing individuals as rightful owners of their digital data.
Citation:Lanier, J. (2013). Who Owns the Future? Simon & Schuster.
Postcolonial Dignity
Emerging FrontiersRestoring dignity after historical injustices and colonial violence.
Citation:Fanon, F. (1961). The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press.
Gender Dignity
Emerging FrontiersAffirmation of equality, safety, and autonomy in gender relations.
Citation:Butler, J. (2004). Undoing Gender. Routledge.
AI Personhood
Emerging FrontiersDebate over extending moral dignity to artificial entities.
Citation:Bryson, J. J. (2018). Patiency is not a virtue. Science and Engineering Ethics, 24 (5), 1521–1533.
Ethics of Care
Emerging FrontiersDignity rooted in relational responsibility and empathy.
Citation:Tronto, J. (1993). Moral Boundaries: A Political Argument for an Ethic of Care. Routledge.