The universe is utterly silent about things we hear so much about like "human dignity" and the value of human life. As much as some people would like to have us think that there is some kind of "absolute truth" from which we can derive such notions of dignity, they are mistaken. Those concepts are nowhere to be found in nature. They only exist because we have created them in an attempt to help our selves find meaning in life. Those concepts only continue with us to the extent to which we choose to count them as real and actual. 

The idea that there is such a thing as "human dignity" is it self a human creation. Of course we'd make up something like "human dignity"....and if we lived on Mars, it would be "Martian Dignity" I suppose. I'm not saying there's necessarily anything wrong with the concept. I'm just saying that I think there's something intellectually unhealthy about loosing sight of the fact that it is a concept that we have created and is not something which we've "discovered" by studying the natural universe. 

Having said that, even though there is no obvious "message in the stars" telling me that I am valuable as a person, I am choosing to count my self valuable as a person. It's about choosing to value the person (and perhaps personhood it self), not the behavior or performance of any person. The behavior and performance of persons is important too, but that's a different issue all together (which we do indeed need to deal with in an appropriate setting and in an  appropriate manner). Here I'm not dealing with the relative "goodness" or "badness" of behavior or performance though, but only with the value of "the person" (which, in this view, is not dependant on behavior or performance). 

In my estimation, my value as a person is therefore a completely arbitrary, personal decision. Some may think that such a decision is as selfish as it is arbitrary. That might even be a legitimate concern if it were not for the fact that I also choose to consider all other persons as equally valuable as I do my self. 

It's not like I'm confused or not aware of the fact that I'm actually making up something that isn't really there though. The thing I'm making up isn't something which I'm claiming to actually exist. Neither is it something which I'm pushing on other people telling them that they "should" choose to consider them selves (or anyone else either for that matter) valuable. 

I offer the concept to others and I "invite" them into it, but I certainly would never tell them that they "should" believe it or go with it or any other kind of manipulation. There's nothing religious, supernatural, paranormal or magical with choosing to be "ok" with one self or to consider oneself "ok" or valuable as a person. 


If I'm going to be completely honest with my self, I have to set all of my hopes, dreams and conceptions of reality aside and acknowledge that which I can know for sure. Humans only have whatever dignity I or anyone else want to give them in our own evaluation of them. As far as knowable reality goes, there is nothing inherently dignified about human beings. Contrary to popular belief, we are just simply one of the many living organisms that has found a way to survive here on Planet Earth. Nothing more and nothing less. 

Again, as with other conceptions based on hopes and dreams which I address in these pages, I'm not saying that I think there is anything necessarily wrong with holding to a concept of Human Dignity. I just think that it would be healthier if we would all acknowledge the fact that there is no way for us to know for sure whether or not humans are any more significant in the grand scope of the universe than any other particle of matter and that whatever dignity we choose to bestow upon our selves and/or others should be kept in that perspective. It is our choice, not based on some ultimately absolute truth or natural laws, but on the pure and simple desire to do so for the sake of helping our selves and each other live more healthy and fulfilling lives as homo sapiens. 


Personally, even though I in fact agree with the sentiments and some of the concepts of many people that use it, I'd prefer to do away with the terminology of "Human Dignity" altogether. I know that people are always looking for a more concise way of expressing some concept, but I'd rather just take the time necessary to actually say what I think about a particular subject. I'd prefer to say that I choose to consider my self and all others valuable as persons. That way it is about a personal choice, not a claim about unknowable, cosmic, metaphysical or supernatural wisdom. 

So, how does this help me live a more healthy and fulfilling life as a homo sapien? Well, since I value my self as a person and since I'm totally open, honest and real about my self and my choices, I can walk with my eyes and my mind wide open to the true reality of this life without pussyfooting around the issues or escaping into fantasy or living in the darkness of denial or slipping into the extremes of either self worship or self hatred. I can really be fully human, fully alive. 

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