Examining the criteria of human dignity
One of the critical aspects in discussing human dignity is the establishment of its criterion, a standard unique to humans. This criterion should effectively create a fundamental and structural distinction from other creatures. Initially, our focus was on the endeavors of biologists to differentiat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Tehran University of Medical Sciences
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jmehm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jmehm/article/view/1371 |
| _version_ | 1797359828113293312 |
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| author | Seyed Abdosaleh Jafari Behin Araminia Hanieh Tavasoli Nafiseh Tavasoli Soheil Abedi Ahmad Fayaz Bakhsh |
| author_facet | Seyed Abdosaleh Jafari Behin Araminia Hanieh Tavasoli Nafiseh Tavasoli Soheil Abedi Ahmad Fayaz Bakhsh |
| author_sort | Seyed Abdosaleh Jafari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
One of the critical aspects in discussing human dignity is the establishment of its criterion, a standard unique to humans. This criterion should effectively create a fundamental and structural distinction from other creatures. Initially, our focus was on the endeavors of biologists to differentiate the human species from others, emphasizing the physical aspects. However, physical and genetic differences lack the necessary characteristics to serve as a criterion for dignity. Subsequently, we explored the notion of this criterion in human behavior. Yet, given that behavior stems from human thought, it proves unsuitable as a criterion for dignity. Thus, our quest led us to explore human wisdom. However, since wisdom, like other abilities, serves as a tool for improved living and is present to some extent in other animals, it proves inadequate as a criterion. We have determined that the distinguishing characteristic lies in the power of choice or free will, setting humans apart from other living beings whose behavior is solely instinctual or driven by needs. Consequently, free choice forms the foundation of dignity, assigning value to the chooser based on the choices made.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:29:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5eea6cbca44c479c99da1fb68a590f0d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2008-0387 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:29:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Tehran University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-5eea6cbca44c479c99da1fb68a590f0d2024-01-10T06:14:17ZengTehran University of Medical SciencesJournal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine2008-03872023-12-011610.18502/jmehm.v16i14.14613Examining the criteria of human dignitySeyed Abdosaleh Jafari0Behin Araminia1Hanieh Tavasoli2Nafiseh Tavasoli3Soheil Abedi4Ahmad Fayaz Bakhsh5Researcher, University of Religions and Denominations, Research Center for Religions and Denominations; Researcher, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Researcher, Mental Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Resident of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.Researcher, Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute, Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.PhD Candidate in Medical ethics, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Researcher, Sina Trauma & Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. One of the critical aspects in discussing human dignity is the establishment of its criterion, a standard unique to humans. This criterion should effectively create a fundamental and structural distinction from other creatures. Initially, our focus was on the endeavors of biologists to differentiate the human species from others, emphasizing the physical aspects. However, physical and genetic differences lack the necessary characteristics to serve as a criterion for dignity. Subsequently, we explored the notion of this criterion in human behavior. Yet, given that behavior stems from human thought, it proves unsuitable as a criterion for dignity. Thus, our quest led us to explore human wisdom. However, since wisdom, like other abilities, serves as a tool for improved living and is present to some extent in other animals, it proves inadequate as a criterion. We have determined that the distinguishing characteristic lies in the power of choice or free will, setting humans apart from other living beings whose behavior is solely instinctual or driven by needs. Consequently, free choice forms the foundation of dignity, assigning value to the chooser based on the choices made. https://jmehm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jmehm/article/view/1371Human dignity; Criterion of dignity; Freedom of choice; Free selection of virtues; Voluntary compliance with belief. |
| spellingShingle | Seyed Abdosaleh Jafari Behin Araminia Hanieh Tavasoli Nafiseh Tavasoli Soheil Abedi Ahmad Fayaz Bakhsh Examining the criteria of human dignity Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Human dignity; Criterion of dignity; Freedom of choice; Free selection of virtues; Voluntary compliance with belief. |
| title | Examining the criteria of human dignity |
| title_full | Examining the criteria of human dignity |
| title_fullStr | Examining the criteria of human dignity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examining the criteria of human dignity |
| title_short | Examining the criteria of human dignity |
| title_sort | examining the criteria of human dignity |
| topic | Human dignity; Criterion of dignity; Freedom of choice; Free selection of virtues; Voluntary compliance with belief. |
| url | https://jmehm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jmehm/article/view/1371 |
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