Human Dignity

by George Kateb

Kateb asserts that the defense of universal human rights requires two indispensable morality (as promoted or enforced by justice) and human dignity. For Kateb, morality and justice have sound theoretical underpinnings; human dignity, by virtue of its “existential” quality, lacks (but merits) its own theoretical framework. This he proceeds to establish with a critique of the writings of canonical Western political philosophers (Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseu, Mill, Emerson, Thoreau) and contemporary thinkers like Peter Singer and Thomas Nagel. The author argues that while morality compels just governments to prevent, reduce, or eliminate human suffering inasmuch as it is possible, people possess and are entitled to dignity by mere virtue of their “status” as human beings. Homo sapiens, he maintains, have a “stature,” manifest in the species's “great achievements,” that exceeds that of other creatures, even in (or especially in) the secular cosmos.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2011

About the author

George Kateb is William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Politics, Emeritus, at Princeton University. A staunch individualist, he has written scholarly works on Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Stuart Mill, and Hannah Arendt and on the ethical dimensions of the individual in a constitutional democracy.

Reviews

[Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The problem with this book is that its only 217 pages. Other than that, we can all use this book. Not only for the thought but for the actuality that we find ourselves in.

[Clara! · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was all right.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't agree with everything Kateb says here, particularly the conceit that humans are "partially not natural." But this book will stay with me for a long time, there is a lot to think about here and Kateb has certainly put in the thought. Not an easy book, by any stretch of the imagination, but less jargony and clearer writing than many books of philosophy. I am glad I read this, and having done so makes me feel like a fuller human.

Highly recommend.

[Mattius Padney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kateb's arguments to secure Human Dignity are not only weak but proposed on the backs of animals. This book is filled with secular humanist dogmatism which adds little to an already satured discussion.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book club. This really stretched me and I appreciated it but his justification for human dignity is weak.