The dignity of the human being

  • Birgit Ertl
Keywords: creative mission, essential trait, innate dignity, divine image, reason, self-control, morality, responsibility, self-respect, human rights, aquired dignity, freedom

Abstract

Human dignity is inviolable, according to §1 of our constitution. But what actually is dignity? How can dignity be described, explained, maybe even defined? Are there various valid but different ideas of dignity, or is there the one “right” dignity on which we all could agree? Further questions are addressed such as: Do only dignitaries have dignity? Does man still have dignity when being retired, although he or she is no longer in office? On the basis of an extensive literature search many answers were found. One of the most beautiful is: “I consider my own dignity, selfrespect, to be so valuable that it is always a too high price to pay” (Jorge Bucay).

Author Biography

Birgit Ertl

born 1947, trained as a publishing house clerk, studied business administration in Munich. Four-year training as a psychotherapist, foundation and management of a seminar house in Oberbrunn am Chiemsee (self-experience groups, personality development and meditation groups). With the head of the Institute for Psychology and Peace Research in Munich, set up and expanded the institution, conception and management of groups of various kinds, organization and management of events and lectures. Since 1990 work in the health sciences, including project management of a research project of the Munich public utility company (nine years). 2006 to 2010 at the MVHS Program Area Manager Health and Environment (2,100 courses, seminars and lectures per semester).

Published
2019-07-29
Issue
Vol. 25 No. 2 (2019): Issue 2/2019 Dignity and Consciousness
Section
Artikel