What is the basis of human dignity?

Inherent, not conferred

Humanist Manifesto III commits humanists to "treating each person as having inherent worth and dignity". It says ethical values are "derived from human need and interest as tested by experience" and grounded "in human welfare" (X5). The Amsterdam Declaration (2022) says morality is "inherent to the human condition, grounded in the ability of living things to suffer and flourish" and is "needing no source outside of humanity". On that basis it affirms "the worth and dignity of the individual" (X6). In these statements dignity is affirmed as a starting point. It does not come from any authority beyond human beings. X5X6

Dignity protected by rights

In these texts, dignity is something that freedoms and social conditions must honour. Humanist Manifesto II says "to enhance freedom and dignity the individual must experience a full range of civil liberties". It also recognises "an individual's right to die with dignity" (X1). UDHR Article 22 calls economic, social and cultural rights "indispensable for his dignity" and asks for pay "ensuring... an existence worthy of human dignity" (X3). The Amsterdam Declaration ties dignity to the right to "the greatest possible freedom and fullest possible development compatible with the rights of others" (X6). The UDHR passage given here does not say what dignity itself rests on. X1X3X6

Kant: the self-legislating will

Kant says a person who is "subject to the moral law" has no sublimity simply by obeying it. A person has "dignity and sublimity" because "in regard to that very law he is likewise a legislator, and on that account alone subject to it" (X2). Dignity therefore rests on a rational will that acts only on maxims that could become "universal laws". It does not rest on fear or inclination (X2). X2

Where the thinkers differ

Humanist adopted statements

Dignity is the inherent worth of every person, rooted in human nature: the capacity to suffer and flourish, human needs, and reason and compassion (X5, X6). X5X6

Kantian

Dignity comes specifically from rational moral autonomy: a person is the legislator of the moral law they obey (X2). X2

Key points

• The Amsterdam Declaration rests morality, and with it individual worth, on the capacity to suffer and flourish, which is not limited to humans (X6). X6
• Humanist Manifesto III ties dignity to "informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility" (X5). X5
• Manifesto II extends dignity to the end of life, including euthanasia (X1). X1
• For Kant, only "respect for the law" gives actions moral worth, not fear or inclination (X2). X2

References

• X1Humanist Manifesto II — The Individual · Humanist Manifesto II · American Humanist Association (1973)
• X2Immanuel Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals — To The Metaphysic Of Morals · Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals · Immanuel Kant (1785), Project Gutenberg
• X3Universal Declaration of Human Rights — Article 22 · Universal Declaration of Human Rights · UN General Assembly (1948)
• X5Humanist Manifesto III · Humanist Manifesto III · American Humanist Association (2003)
• X6The Amsterdam Declaration — Amsterdam Declaration 2022 · The Amsterdam Declaration · Humanists International (2022)