Concept in Definition ABC

According to its etymology, the word dignity comes from the Latin dignitas, a quality that expresses the intrinsic value of the human being. On the other hand, the adjective dignus in Latin indicates the value of someone as a human being. Regardless of its original meaning, it must be remembered that in times of Roman civilization, when the institutions of the Empire sent one of their representatives to another territory they called him dignitary, in such a way that said person symbolized the dignity of Rome.

By dignity we know that value that makes ourselves feel valuable and the other, who observes us and who also sees us, produces such sensation, without that in that perception own or others mediate some reason linked to the material or social.

Dignity is that intrinsic and supreme value that any human being can contribute to develop through his actions and behavior, until his exaltation, regardless of the economic, social, cultural or ideological situation that this or that person is present, because for dignity it does not matter what I think, but rather what I do with that thought

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Obviously, being a dignified person is a difficult job to achieve, to begin with, who behaves and acts in all the waits of his life, both personal as a professional, with decorum, making himself respected, without caring for example leaving a significant sum of money on the road, a position of power that can pave the way thinking about the future, preferring then to preserve his behavioral values, those that turned him into the eye of the world and his world In a worthy person, this is the same or the same as saying that person who focuses on the spiritual more than on the material, that will be called and described as worthy.

Every individual is worthy by virtue of being a person

In human relationships there are usually social, economic or cultural hierarchies. However, the idea of ​​dignity implies that every individual deserves to be respected regardless of their status as a person.

The value of dignity is applicable to others and to oneself. Thus, others deserve to be respected and oneself has to be respected and valued. This idea has been embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human rights of 1948 and for this reason slavery is denounced as a form of indignity.

The conduct of some it is moral and legally objectionable precisely because it goes against human dignity. In this way, the abortion, rape or use of violence in any of its forms they are understood as unworthy behaviors.

Dignity and animals

Animals are sometimes treated violently by humans. For some, animals have dignity in the same sense as human beings, while others consider that the idea of ​​dignity only applies to people. In an intermediate position, there are those who maintain that animals have a value and should be respected, but this does not imply that an animal can be spoken of as a worthy being.

Human dignity according to the social doctrine of the Catholic Church

For the Catholic Church, the person is the center of existence and it is not acceptable that there could be something that goes against his dignity; not money, not material goods, not other people. This idea is based on the prior consideration that the person has been created in the image and likeness of God.

In light of the social doctrine of the church, human dignity is a fundamental moral principle. In this sense, from the idea of ​​dignity the church acquires two commitments: to help the poorest and to promote solidarity with the weakest.