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 a dignitary, in such a way that said person symbolized the dignity of Rome.
Dignity is known to that value that makes us feel valuable and the other, who watches us and also sees us, produces such a sensation, without any reason linked to the material mediating in that own perception or that of others. or social.
Dignity is that intrinsic and supreme value that any human being can contribute to develop through their actions and behavior, up to its exaltation, regardless of the economic, social, cultural or ideological situation that this or that person is present, because for the dignity It doesn't matter what I think, but rather what I do with that thought
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 and professional, with decorum, making himself respected, without caring for example leaving a important sum of money, a position of power that can pave the way thinking about the future, preferring then to preserve his behavioral values, those that made him a worthy person for the eye of the world and his world, this which is the same or equal to 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 is morally and legally objectionable precisely because it goes against human dignity. In this way, abortion, rape or the use of violence in any of its forms 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 their 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.
