Human dignity, a pillar of a just and respectful society

December 4, 2024

Author: Juan Manuel Palomares Cantero

Versión en español

Have you ever stopped to think about what human dignity really means and how it influences our daily lives? This concept, which seems abstract, is the pillar that supports our rights and duties as a society. Dignity not only defines our essence as human beings, but also guides our actions and decisions, especially in fields as sensitive as bioethics. We live surrounded by inequalities, with ethical dilemmas becoming increasingly prevalent. In view of this, it is essential to reflect on how this principle guides us in addressing current challenges and to build a more just and respectful coexistence.

Human dignity is a central issue in the debate on human rights and their application in everyday life. Beyond legal declarations and principles, it is an idea that appeals to the depths of our coexistence and mutual respect. It is a concept that invites us to recognize the inherent value of each person, regardless of their social status, abilities or circumstances. However, its meaning and scope are not always clear, and its interpretation may vary depending on the cultural, ethical, or political context. This opens the door to reflections on how dignity relates to fundamental concepts such as quality of life, a dignified life and death, and how we can ensure its respect in our daily actions.

Human dignity can be understood from two complementary perspectives: ontological dignity and ethical dignity. Ontological dignity is rooted in the very nature of the human being, inherent and immutable, derived from his condition as a rational being, free and capable of transcending. This dignity does not depend on a person's actions, capacities or external circumstances, but is based on their essence as a human being. It is universal, indivisible and equal for all, and constitutes the foundation on which human rights must be built. In this sense, research on the human genome has shown that all human beings share more than 99.98% of our genetic information, which scientifically evidences our essential equality as a species. Recognizing this dignity implies accepting that every person has an intrinsic value that cannot be reduced or negotiated.

On the other hand, ethical dignity is related to personal development and the decisions that human beings make throughout their lives. It is a dignity that is built and manifested through conduct, commitment to the environment and contribution to the well-being of others. This ethical dimension of dignity is linked to individual and collective responsibility, as it depends on how each person chooses to live in accordance with values such as justice, solidarity and respect for others.

The distinction between these two dimensions is fundamental. While ontological dignity is inalienable and must be recognized in every person without exception, ethical dignity is dynamic, varies according to life's choices and circumstances, and can reinforce or weaken an individual's perception of dignity in a social context. However, these two perspectives should not be opposed, but integrated: ethical dignity finds its foundation and ultimate meaning in ontological dignity.

In the context of human rights, it is essential to affirm that the principles and norms that protect the person must be based on ontological dignity, since this recognition avoids any discrimination or exclusion. On this basis, a culture of ethics can inspire individuals to live in ways that reinforce both their own dignity and that of others, building a more just and supportive society.

Human dignity, as a fundamental concept in bioethics and human rights, has a special relevance in everyday life. In its frame of reference, this principle guides our decisions and actions in concrete situations that affect the integrity, well-being and rights of people. Dignity is not an abstract concept reserved for legal texts or academic debates; but manifests itself in every interaction, decision, and policy that involves human beings.

In the field of bioethics, dignity serves as a guiding axis to face complex dilemmas related to health care, the beginning and end of life, and access to advanced medical technologies. For example, in healthcare, ensuring dignity involves respecting the patient's autonomy, offering care based on empathy, and providing fair and equitable treatment and acknowledging their intrinsic worth. Bioethics underscores the importance of protecting not only a person's physical life, but also their sense of worth and respect, especially in situations of vulnerability, such as a terminal illness or disability.

From a human rights perspective, human dignity acts as the ethical and legal foundation underpinning the protection of fundamental freedoms and universal rights. In everyday life, this translates into ensuring conditions that allow each person to develop their potential, live safely and access opportunities without discrimination. Dignity in this context requires recognition of people's basic needs, such as food, health, education and housing, as well as respect for their choices and beliefs.

A paradigmatic case is the debate on dignified death. Human dignity, in this context, is not reduced to maintaining life at all costs, but to ensure that the end of life is accompanied by respect, relief from suffering, and consideration for the will of the individual. This vision from bioethics and focused on human rights seeks to balance personal autonomy with society's responsibility to protect and accompany its members in the most critical moments.

In everyday life, the challenge of living by the principle of human dignity involves asking ourselves how our actions affect others. Do we respect their intrinsic value in our work, family or social relationships? Are we contributing to an environment that promotes justice and well-being? Human dignity, when understood as a practical principle, invites us to act with respect, empathy and commitment to the common good, not only as an ethical duty, but as an indispensable condition for building a more equitable and respectful society.

Facing the current challenges to respect human rights from a vision congruent with ontological dignity requires an in-depth analysis of the social, economic and political dynamics that violate this fundamental principle. Dignity, understood as inherent in human nature, should be the starting point for any action that seeks to guarantee the rights of people. In practice, however, various structures of power and inequality erode this essential recognition, generating ethical tensions that challenge both individuals and institutions.

One of the most urgent challenges is growing economic inequality, which widens the gap between those who have access to a dignified life and those who are excluded from the minimum conditions to fully develop. Millions of people lack basic resources such as food, shelter and medical care, which not only affects their quality of life, but also calls into question their ability to exercise fundamental rights. This problem is aggravated in contexts where public policies fail to prioritize the well-being of the most vulnerable, forgetting that ontological dignity requires guaranteeing equal treatment to all, regardless of their social or economic position.

In addition, the instrumentalization of dignity in political discourses represents another significant challenge. In many cases, the concept is used in an ambiguous or even manipulative way, justifying measures that, far from protecting human rights, restrict them. Examples of this include legislation that dehumanizes migrants, restrictions on access to health services, or decisions that marginalize indigenous communities in the name of "progress." These actions reveal how the lack of a clear and ethical understanding of dignity can lead to practices that contradict their essence.

Another critical area is medical care and bioethical decisions related to life and death. Technological advances in health present opportunities, but also dilemmas that must be resolved based on respect for ontological dignity. The pressure to maximize the efficiency of resources or prioritize economic gains in health systems can lead to treating patients as simple numbers, forgetting that each person is an end in themselves. This manifests itself in situations such as unequal access to medicines, lack of adequate palliative care, and controversies over euthanasia and assisted suicide, where the tensions between individual autonomy and social responsibility demand a delicate balance.

Likewise, the environmental crisis puts the human dignity of current and future generations at risk. Environmental degradation disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, denying them the conditions they need to live in dignity. From the lack of clean water to forced displacement due to natural disasters, the effects of this crisis call for an ethical commitment that recognizes the interconnectedness between human dignity and caring for the planet. Protecting ontological dignity also implies safeguarding the environment that sustains this dignity.

Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort to reconfigure our ethical and political priorities. Ontological dignity, as the foundation of human rights, must be the criterion that guides both individual decisions and institutional actions. This means building structures that recognize and respect the inherent value of each person, promoting inclusive policies, strengthening social justice, and fostering a culture of mutual respect. Ultimately, humanity will only be able to overcome these crises if it acts coherently in the face of the principle of dignity that unites and defines us.

In conclusion, human dignity, in its ontological and ethical dimensions, is the pillar on which human rights and bioethical practices are built. Recognizing and respecting this dignity in everyday life forces us to question our actions and the social structures that perpetuate inequality and injustice. A genuine commitment to this principle is indispensable to building a society that values and protects every individual, ensuring a full and respectful existence for all.

Juan Manuel Palomares Cantero is a lawyer, master and doctor in Bioethics from the Universidad Anahuac, Mexico. He was director of Human Capital, director and general coordinator in the Faculty of Bioethics. He currently works as a researcher in the Academic Directorate of Integral Training of the same University. He is a member of the Mexican National Academy of Bioethics and the Latin American and Caribbean Federation of Bioethics Institutions. This article was assisted in its writing using ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence tool developed by OpenAI. 

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