ipl-logo

Theories Of Human Dignity

798 Words4 Pages

Question of the research. In the researches of Lithuanian scholars, the human dignity is more frequently analysed from the juridical, theological, educological and philosophical points of view. Venckienė (2005, 2008), Vaišvila (2004, 2005), Jovaiša (2001), Kairienė (2010), Peičius (2000), Meškauskienė (2002, 2005), Virbalienė (2006), Mockus (2006), Virbalienė, Žydžiūnaitė (2010), and foreign researchers such as Chaskalson (2002), Lobato (2001), Dicke (2002), Meyer (2002), Donnely J. (2009) in their researches state the complexity of human dignity as a phenomenon. The notion of dignity in social work studies is similar to its perception in law studies. In the practice of social work, it is more frequent to write about the factors of human dignity …show more content…

A person’s worth is a specific power or ability to accomplish his aims; this skill is usually called worthiness (Hobbes, 1999). Hobbes considers that the dignity itself is not worthiness, but it results from worthiness. Thus, a person’s worthiness is a natural skill to accomplish his duties that are meaningful for the society in an appropriate way. By fulfilling his duties and giving sense to his activities, a person starts to feel his worth and understands himself as a dignified member of the society (Lobato, 2001, Statman, 2002, Donnely, 2009, Virbalienė, Žydžiūnaitė, 2010). Many researchers are now speaking about different crisis of values that have a negative impact on one’s feeling of dignity. Despite of that, today the biggest crisis of values are caused by the impossibility to understand one’s own worth. (Venckienė, 2008). Due to that, dignity as person’s worthiness derives from a person’s ability to live properly in a society. It is yet difficult to define the concept of living properly in a postmodern society as the postmodern world had transformed subject’s identity to an object of consumption. Therefore, if one wants to become an active unit in today’s society, he is obliged to consume (Bauman, 2007). Having this in mind we see that the lowest class had become worthless in a postmodern society: the members of this class are not capable of creating no added value and so they are not included in the circles of investments and marketplaces. The above mentioned reasons influence the situation that the members of higher social classes are more appreciated (Baudrillard, 2010, Bauman, 2007). Thus, this rapid change in social life and a gap between social classes influenced the formation of social exclusion. Furthermore, in our societies we confront with an unequal repartition of power and wealth that is created by the system itself, as well as with

Show More
Related

  • The Price Of Pride In The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

    644 Words  | 3 Pages

    The possession of too much pride may be exceedingly stressful since the person is constantly wanting to be be better than other people. Self-worth is a function living with dignity,

    Read More

  • Summary Of Class In America 2003 By Gregory Mantsios

    1550 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the article “ Class in America- 2003” Gregory Mantsios discusses the different types of social classes there are in the United States such as the poor, middle, and rich class. Mantsios describes four different myths about America and the people’s social class. These myths prove the social classes there are in America and where they stand. These myths are all lies and talk about what American people are like and what they face. Mantsios also, talks about the different types of realities Americans have with the different social classes which exist.

    Read More

  • Dumpster Diving Thesis Statement

    854 Words  | 4 Pages

    Have you heard about some weird billionaires like Bill Gates? Gates is not only famous for his identity of billionaire but also well known for his asceticism. Applying to Pablo Picasso’s words, “I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money” (515). Live as a rich man but think as a poor man. Living with lots of money does not necessarily restrict humans’ thoughts, if people can adjust themselves well in mental level.

    Read More

  • Why Is Ownership Important In The Great Gatsby

    789 Words  | 4 Pages

    The act of ownership has the power to completely take over one’s sense of self and identity. More specifically, in today’s society, people have become so consumed with wanting to own certain tangible and intangible aspects in order to portray themselves in their desired persona. This idea of ownership can truly be seen in the materialistic behaviors within the majority of the society. Many people seek and pursue a happiness they believe can be found in success, prosperity, and luxury which is most often portrayed through the possession of high-end and superior goods. The ownership of these tangible objects creates a sense of feeling wealthy and triumph over others.

    Read More

  • Class In America Gregory Mantsios Summary

    977 Words  | 4 Pages

    There is lower, middle, and upper class, but there are also subcategories that fill the gaps in between, like the impoverished and the top one percenters. “Class in America”, written by Gregory Mantsios, addresses the myths and realities about socioeconomic class in America and how they affect American lives. His article highlights the unequal divide that has persisted over the course of history and will continue to manifest in the future. To introduce the existence of this issue, Mantsios states that this country’s citizens “don’t like to talk about class...or class privileges, or class oppression, or the class nature of society” (Mantsios 378). This is the case in America today because people are neglecting to acknowledge the existence of these elusive

    Read More

  • Subsidiarity In Social Work Essay

    862 Words  | 4 Pages

    Further, the principle of subsidiarity should be applied in the social work practices with the most affected members of the society. The central aspect of subsidiarity is the recognition of human dignity and every subject’s indisputable worthiness. Having this in mind, a social worker should consider his client as a human being in his totality (Petružytė, Girdzijauskienė, Gvaldaitė, 2004). If one follows this principle, he does not affect the dignity in the helping process; when the dignity is already affected or violated, he helps to restore it. Every individual feels a necessity for fulfilment and happiness – these are the main aspirations; all the rest of necessities are circumstanced by this aspiration (Vittadini, 1997).

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks

    881 Words  | 4 Pages

    The obligation of a social worker is to be aware of individual differences as well as cultural and ethnic diversity while treating each client in a kind and courteous manner (Kirst-Ashman, & Hull, 2012, p. 412). In relation to the ethical principle of Clients who Lack Decision Making Capacity (1.14) the obligation of a social worker is to protect the rights of individuals who have been deemed “legally incompetent”. Everything done by the social worker should be in the best interest of that client (Kirst-Ashman, & Hull, 2012, p. 402). The core value of Social Justice is important do address because it ties in to many parts of the book. Social change efforts from the social worker are necessary in order to promote knowledge and cultural competency about the injustices and discrimination of individuals incarcerated in Crownsville hospital as well as the injustices and discrimination of Henrietta and the rest of her family (Kirst-Ashman, & Hull, 2012, p.

    Read More

  • Human Dignity Research Paper

    1896 Words  | 8 Pages

    Moral, ethical, legal and political discussions use the concept of ‘ human dignity’ to express the idea that a being has an innate right to be valued, respected and to receive ethical treatment. In the modern context, dignity can function as an extension of the Enlightenment- era concepts of inherent, inalienable rights. The English word “ dignity “ attested from the early 13th century, comes from the Latin term ‘ dignitas’ which means ‘worthiness’ and from the French term ‘dignite’ .In ordinary modern usage it denotes ‘respect’ and ‘status’. The term ‘human dignity’ is however, rarely defines out right in the legal discussions.

    Read More

  • Thorstein Veblen's Conspicuous Consumption

    2901 Words  | 12 Pages

    Very few books in the history of economic thought still render an accurate portrayal of society today. Written 115 years ago, Thorstein Veblen’s The Theory of the Social Class (1899) describes a materialistic society obsessed with reputation and social status, echoing a portrayal of the modern capitalistic consumer culture that defines us today. As Roger Mason (1998), professor of consumer theory states: “Consuming for status has, in fact, become a defining element of the new consumer societies” (p.vii). In his treatise, Veblen’s discusses such a society, in order to portray the ‘leisure class’, the 19th century society that characterized the upper class that formed as a consequence of the Second Industrial Revolution. Such a society uses the consumption of goods and leisure as means of climbing up the social ladder.

    Read More

  • Dignity During World War 2 Essay

    559 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most everyday middle class Americans do not recognize the most basic rights we are given daily. We do not look at the value of food, water, or even talking as other people in the world do. Dignity is a most basic human value that we do not observe as POW’s would. During World War II a young olympic runner named Louis Zamperini and friend Russell Phillips (Phil) were drifting on a life raft after their plane crashed into the ocean. They were picked up by Japanese boat and transport to POW camps where they were brutally treated.

    Read More

  • Karl Marx's Approach To Social Inequality

    926 Words  | 4 Pages

    All types of capital contribute to maintain the social positions of a specific part of society at the top of the hierarchy, whether it is those with the largest economic, cultural or social capital. “The hierarchy of lifestyles” is in fact a “misrecognized retranslation of the hierarchy of classes” (ibid,

    Read More

  • Bryan Turner's Theory Of Human Rights

    1217 Words  | 5 Pages

    Introduction Sociology Bryan Turner Bryan Turner contributed a lot of time familiarising himself with Durkheim, Weber and Marx’s view on rights. In Turner’s opinion Durkheim’s view did not satisfy the rights of individuals and was based more on social cohesion, Weber’s view allowed one to see passed the rights of just the state and Marx’s view was based off of the economic system. Turner found that Marx’s views were too influenced; this is because Turner believed that human rights should not be viewed exclusively from an individualist. The criticism, from Turner, on Weber’s view was partial based on Strauss’ criticism that Weber attacked the idea of natural rights. The two concepts that Strauss’ believed were attacked were the “conventionalism”

    Read More

  • Karl Marx And Emile Durkheim's Theory Of Capitalism

    846 Words  | 4 Pages

    Capitalism is understood to be the “economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.” In modern society, capitalism has become the dominant economic system and has become so integrated that it has resulted in a change in the relationships individuals have with other members of society and the materials within society. As a society, we have become alienated from other members of society and the materials that have become necessary to regulate ourselves within it, often materials that we ourselves, play a role in producing. Capitalism has resulted in a re-organization of societies, a more specialized and highly segmented division of labour one which maintains the status quo in society by alienating the individual. Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim theorize on how power is embodied within society and how it affects the individuals of society.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Dignity In Social Work

    1101 Words  | 5 Pages

    The main thing in achieving the goals of social worker is to base his relationship with clients on values so he could again feel his worth and that he is needed and useful for the society. In the social work the following moral principles are of most importance: humaneness, love, empathy, equality, tolerance, respect, courage, honour and honesty. The links between these values constitute the content of dignity, they are its basic components (Virbalienė, Žydžiūnaitė, 2010). That means that if a social worker follows these values while working with a client, it is easier for him to feel his worth and restore his dignity. No other specialist has so many close links with person’s destiny as a social worker (Prakapas, 2007).

    Read More

  • Social Class And Social Inequality

    1443 Words  | 6 Pages

    Social classes are a form of social stratification that refers to the existence of structured inequalities between individuals and groups in society. A social class is a group of people of comparable status, power and wealth which are usually classified as upper class, middle class, and lower class. For each class, there are some specific opportunities available that influence their social life. We can understand about the particularity of the chances through unequal distribution of these opportunities between individuals in social classes. In here belonging to a social class seems to be an obstacle for some individuals to obtain equal opportunity, unlike upper class people.

    Read More

More about Theories Of Human Dignity

Open Document