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RE: Keyword of the Week: DIGNITY / Schlüsselwort der Woche: WÜRDE
I am convinced that it is innate—in my understanding, dignity is not a special ability or moral quality, but rather something that is given to every human being from the outset, something to which they are entitled. However, I also think that one can make one's dignity apparent through one's actions, way of thinking, demeanor, fundamental attitude, etc. It also works in the opposite direction.
Ahhh, now I understand. Thank you. I agree with you. :-)
Because I've always believed it's being aware or awake in our inner life - the quiet, persistent ability to think, to reflect, or to be conscious of one's own condition whether in prison, or in poverty, or on our deathbed, no matter how diminished our circumstances may seem. But I also thought it's inherent, since even a fetus has dignity even when they're not yet able to reflect or something. And I also thought it's conditional - depends on what we do; we either lose it or maintain it.
There are different understandings of “dignity”—legal, ethical, colloquial... In my view, dignity is unconditional and cannot be damaged from outside. It resides in every human being (I tend to grant it to animals as well) and only a person themselves can give it up.