Editing Dignity (section)

== Modern use ==
English-speakers often use the word "dignity" in proscriptive and cautionary ways: for example, in [[politics]] it can be used to critique the treatment of oppressed and [[social vulnerability|vulnerable]] groups and peoples, but it has also been applied to [[culture]]s and [[sub-cultures]], to [[religious beliefs]] and ideals, and even to animals used for food or research.

"Dignity" also has descriptive meanings pertaining to the ''worth'' of human beings. In general, the term has various functions and meanings depending on how the term is used and on the context.<ref name="Shultziner, D. Human Dignity - Functions and Meanings. Global Jurist">{{cite journal|last1=Shultziner|first1=Doron|title=Human Dignity – Functions and Meanings|journal=Global Jurist|date=2003|volume=3|issue=3|pages=1–21|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241002874|access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>

In ordinary modern usage, the word denotes "[[respect]]" and "[[social status|status]]", and it is often used to suggest that someone is not receiving a proper degree of [[respect]], or even that they are failing to treat themselves with proper self-respect. There is also a long history of special [[philosophical]] use of this term. However, it is rarely defined outright in [[political]], [[legal]], and [[scientific]] discussions.  International proclamations have thus far left dignity undefined,<ref>"Those provisions concerning human dignity have not been authoritatively interpreted or applied by any of the competent, independent, international institutions." Bartha Maria Knoppers, ''Human Dignity and Genetic Heritage: Study Paper'' (Law Reform Commission of Canada, 1991), note, at 23. None of the international proclamations make dignity the rare quality that some commentators say it should be.</ref><ref>Myres S. McDougal, Harold D. Lasswell, and Lung-chu Chen, ''Human Rights and World Public Order: The Basic Policies of an International Law of Human Dignity'' (New Haven: Yale UP, 1980), note, at 376.</ref> and scientific commentators, such as those arguing against [[genetic research]] and [[algeny]], cite dignity as a reason but are ambiguous about its application.<ref>
{{cite book
| last1                 = Harees
| first1                = Lukman
| title                 = The Mirage of Dignity on the Highways of Human 'progress': – the Bystanders' Perspective –
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=DWqolvx1oakC
| publisher             = AuthorHouse
| publication-date      = 2012
| page                  = 79
| isbn                  = 9781467007733
| access-date            = 2014-09-22
| quote                 = Even in recent times, when dignity of the human came into scientific discourses especially in the area of genetic related research, the scientific commentators, such as those arguing against such researches and algeny, ''cite dignity as a reason but are ambiguous about its application''. [Italics in original]
| date                = 2012-01-16
}}
</ref>

[[Aurel Kolnai]] states:<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kolnai |first=Aurel |date=July 1976 |title=Dignity |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/philosophy/article/abs/dignity/5EB7B54CE75B9490742D41A56624C97E |journal=Philosophy |language=en |volume=51 |issue=197 |pages=251–271 |doi=10.1017/S003181910001932X |s2cid=243183323 |issn=1469-817X|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
<blockquote>Dignity also tends to connote the features of self-contained serenity, of a certain inward and toned-down but yet translucent and perceptible power of self-assertion: the dignified type of character is chary of emphatic activity rather than sullenly passive, perhaps impassive rather than impassible, patient rather than anxiously defensive, and devoid but not incapable of aggressiveness.</blockquote>
<!-- Comment added 29 March 2011: I searched through several major libraries including Harvard and the US Library of Congress, and did not find this title<ref>J.R. Aldergrove says dignity means "the set of attributes that distinguish an intelligent, solemn, sober, healthy, independent, adult homo sapiens (the model adult) from someone else, especially a young child or a lunatic". J. R. Aldergrove, ''Why We Are Not Obsolete Yet: Genetics, Algeny, and the Future'' (Stentorian: Burnaby, 2000) at 71.</ref> -->
<!-- hiding ref for the moment<ref> Thurber says dignity "has gleamed only now and then and here and there, in lonely splendor, throughout the ages, a hope of the better men, never an achievement of the majority." James Thurber, 'Thinking Ourselves Into Trouble,' pt. 3, ''Collecting Himself: James Thurber on Writing and Writers, Humor and Himself'', Michael J. Rosen ed. (Harper & Row, 1989).</ref> -->