Dignity, Esteem, and Social Contribution: A Recognition-Theoretical View

Journal of Political Philosophy 25 (3):259-280 (2017)
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Abstract

This paper develops a recognition-theoretical analysis of human dignity. I argue that a life with dignity requires social esteem (recognition for one’s contribution to socially shared goals) as well as respect (recognition of one’s equal status). I illustrate this through an empirically informed discussion of three aspects of the current social organization of labour which threaten human dignity: unemployment, precarity and low pay. I also argue that in class societies the assertion of dignity as a positional good can undermine its general progressive appeal.

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Timo Jütten
University of Essex

Citations of this work

Real self-respect and its social bases.Christian Schemmel - 2019 - Canadian Journal of Philosophy 49 (5):628-651.
Exploitation, Working Poverty, and the Expressive Power of Wages.Ned Dobos - 2018 - Journal of Applied Philosophy 36 (2):333-347.
The goods (and bads) of self‐employment.Jahel Queralt - 2023 - Journal of Political Philosophy 31 (3):271-293.

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References found in this work

Justice as fairness: a restatement.John Rawls (ed.) - 2001 - Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
What is the point of equality.Elizabeth Anderson - 1999 - Ethics 109 (2):287-337.
Two kinds of respect.Stephen L. Darwall - 1977 - Ethics 88 (1):36-49.
Justice as Fairness: A Restatement.C. L. Ten - 2003 - Mind 112 (447):563-566.

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