Human Dignity

A Way of Living

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Modern
Cover of the book Human Dignity by Peter Bieri, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter Bieri ISBN: 9780745689050
Publisher: Wiley Publication: January 12, 2017
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Peter Bieri
ISBN: 9780745689050
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: January 12, 2017
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

Dignity is humanity's most prized possession. We experience the loss of dignity as a terrible humiliation: when we lose our dignity we feel deprived of something without which life no longer seems worth living. But what exactly is this trait that we value so highly?

In this important new book, distinguished philosopher Peter Bieri looks afresh at the notion of human dignity. In contrast to most traditional views, he argues that dignity is not an innate quality of human beings or a right that we possess by virtue of being human. Rather, dignity is a certain way to lead one's life. It is a pattern of thought, experience and action – in other words, a way of living.

In Bieri's account, there are three key dimensions to dignity as a way of living. The first is the way I am treated by others: they can treat me in a way that leaves my dignity intact or they can destroy my dignity. The second dimension concerns the way that I treat other people: do I treat them in a way that allows me to live a dignified life? The third dimension concerns the view that I have of myself: which ways of seeing and treating myself allow me to maintain a sense of dignity? In the actual flow of day-to-day life these three dimensions of dignity are often interwoven, and this accounts in part for the complexity of the situations and experiences in which our dignity is at stake.

So, why did we invent dignity and what role does it play in our lives? As thinking and acting beings, our lives are fragile and constantly under threat. A dignified way of living, argues Bieri, is humanity's way of coping with this threat. In our constantly endangered lives, it is important to stand our ground with confidence. Thus a dignified way of living is not any way of living: it is a particular way of responding to the existential experience of being under threat. It is also a particular way of answering the question: What kind of life do we wish to live?

This beautifully written reflection on our most cherished human value will be of interest to a wide readership.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Dignity is humanity's most prized possession. We experience the loss of dignity as a terrible humiliation: when we lose our dignity we feel deprived of something without which life no longer seems worth living. But what exactly is this trait that we value so highly?

In this important new book, distinguished philosopher Peter Bieri looks afresh at the notion of human dignity. In contrast to most traditional views, he argues that dignity is not an innate quality of human beings or a right that we possess by virtue of being human. Rather, dignity is a certain way to lead one's life. It is a pattern of thought, experience and action – in other words, a way of living.

In Bieri's account, there are three key dimensions to dignity as a way of living. The first is the way I am treated by others: they can treat me in a way that leaves my dignity intact or they can destroy my dignity. The second dimension concerns the way that I treat other people: do I treat them in a way that allows me to live a dignified life? The third dimension concerns the view that I have of myself: which ways of seeing and treating myself allow me to maintain a sense of dignity? In the actual flow of day-to-day life these three dimensions of dignity are often interwoven, and this accounts in part for the complexity of the situations and experiences in which our dignity is at stake.

So, why did we invent dignity and what role does it play in our lives? As thinking and acting beings, our lives are fragile and constantly under threat. A dignified way of living, argues Bieri, is humanity's way of coping with this threat. In our constantly endangered lives, it is important to stand our ground with confidence. Thus a dignified way of living is not any way of living: it is a particular way of responding to the existential experience of being under threat. It is also a particular way of answering the question: What kind of life do we wish to live?

This beautifully written reflection on our most cherished human value will be of interest to a wide readership.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book Visioning Augustine by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Lead Positive by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Patent Valuation by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Shakespeare's Ideas by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book More Hesselbein on Leadership by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Representations of Youth by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Local and Regional Flaps in Head and Neck Reconstruction by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book RF Power Amplifiers by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book The Stop Doing List by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Robust Adaptive Control for Fractional-Order Systems with Disturbance and Saturation by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book High-Frequency Magnetic Components by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Wiley Not-for-Profit GAAP 2017 by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Frequently Asked Questions in Quantitative Finance by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book Jesus and the Judaism of His Time by Peter Bieri
Cover of the book A Practical Guide to the NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract by Peter Bieri
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy