Human Dignity
Dignity is the quality of being worthy, honorable, or excellent. It is a conceptual basis in which human rights are formulated and executed. It is thus significant in ethics, law, morality, and politics. Having dignity or human dignity is being worthy of respect and honor of people because of who they are and not because of what they are capable of. It cannot be earned or taken away as it is an inalienable gift from God to humankind. Nonetheless, it is violated through ways like degradation, humiliation, dehumanization, and instrumentalization (Messetti & Dallari, 2018). The present paper attempts to review two articles- Colechi (2015) and Kreeft (1986)—and subsequently reflect on the themes presented by the two scripts. The work of Colecchi focuses on the relationship between the ten commandments and the protection of human rights. On the other hand, Kreeft discusses the four modern cardinal virtues that act as hinges for the other virtues( the virtues will comprise of human dignity, and I will use the two interchangeably). The two articles significantly highlight two themes; protection of human dignity and healthy (or happiness) outcomes of human virtues; inclusive of human dignity.
Protection of Human Dignity
Bestowing to the philosophy of Christians, the Catechism of the catholic church emphasizes that human dignity is rooted in the creation of humans due to the image and likeness of God. Colecchi declares that the ten commandments are God’s ways of cautioning and advising his subjects on the importance of protecting human dignity. Further, he mentions that no society or government ought to restrict or limit this right. Human dignity is cultivated through rights such as religious freedom. In most of the commandments, God depicts ways in which human dignity is violated and methods to mitigate the issue. Adultery- fornication, prostitution, and pornography- degrade and instrumentalize human rights as people are treated like possessions that can be castoff.
Kreeft directly portrays the case of his students who do not want to be enslaved with the hoary past and instead want to impose their values – justice, courage, wisdom, and moderation- that will help in protecting the human dignity. From his point of view, materials things pose threats to human dignity and moral courage is a prerequisite virtue in maintaining dignity, although it has costs.
Healthy/ Happiness
Colecchi, through the third commandment, reminds employers that human dignity requires them to respect the rights of employees to rest even when faced with economic constraints. It is backed by Kreeft, when he states that true and natural happiness do not mean richness and powerfulness. In achieving this kind of happiness, he recommends individuals to free their selves from moralism, legalism, and guilt and to focus on the four values- act as hinges to other virtues, maybe even to the human dignity. The effects will eventually outpour to the society. The four cardinal virtues brought forward by the students practically lead to a community that is harmonious and unified. Create leaders that are conversant with the struggles of the people and, in turn, offer solutions that are not only abstract ideas. Kreeft goes ahead to stress that “small is beautiful.” He shuns the wickedness of capitalism because it stimulates materialism, consumerism, and greed. Which are acts contrary to human virtue and dignity, and are likely to result in unhappy circumstances.
Overall, human dignity need to be protected, and it can be realized by virtues like justice, wisdom, courage, and moderation
References
Colecchi, S. (2015). Teaching Aid – Colecchi. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/human-dignity/teaching-aid-colecchi.cfm
KREEFT, P. (1986). Justice, Wisdom, Courage, and Moderation: The Four Cardinal Virtues. Retrieved from https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/justice-wisdom-courage-and-moderation-the-four-cardinal-virtues.html
Messetti, P. A. S., & Dallari, D. D. A. (2018). Human dignity in the light of the Constitution, human rights and bioethics. Journal of Human Growth and Development, 28(3), 283-289.