RMM Vol. 0, Perspectives in Moral Science,

In order to analyze what can plausibly be said about the relationship between dignity, human rights, and democracy, I will propose a basic assumption about human dignity (I) and then formulate five theses concerning the justification of democracy (II) which will allow me to conclude (III) that only when human rights are constitutionally established and effectively implemented democracy can be theoretically and practically justified as a political means to guarantee human dignity. 1. Dignity My basic assumption is that dignity is a defining characteristic attributed to living human beings as such. However, dignity is not a descriptive concept. To say that all human beings have dignity is not like saying, for instance, that all human beings have certain biological features common to the species homo sapiens sapiens. Rather, the concept of dignity is ascriptive. It expresses and attributes a positive (moral) value judgment. Human dignity can sensibly be ascribed to some X only if it is true that X is a living member of the human species (the age, physical or mental state of