Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights [electronic resource] : Interdisciplinary Perspectives /
Masferrer, Aniceto.editor.
García-Sánchez, Emilio.editor.
This volume is devoted to exploring a subject which, on the surface, might appear to be just a trending topic. In fact, it is much more than a trend. It relates to an ancient, permanent issue which directly connects with people’s life and basic needs: the recognition and protection of individuals’ dignity, in particular the inherent worthiness of the most vulnerable human beings. The content of this book is described well enough by its title: ‘Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights’. Certainly, we do not claim that only the human dignity of vulnerable people should be recognized and protected. We rather argue that, since vulnerability is part of the human condition, human vulnerability is not at odds with human dignity. To put it simply, human dignity is compatible with vulnerability. A concept of human dignity which discards or denies the dignity of the vulnerable and weak is at odds with the real human condition. Even those individuals who might seem more skilled and talented are fragile, vulnerable and limited. We need to realize that human condition is not limitless. It is crucial to re-discover a sense of moderation regarding ourselves, a sense of reality concerning our own nature. Some lines of thought take the opposite view. It is sometimes argued that humankind is – or is called to be – powerful, and that the time will come when there will be no vulnerability, no fragility, no limits at all. Human beings will become like God (or what believers might think God to be). This perspective rejects human vulnerability as in intrinsic evil. Those who are frail or weak, who are not autonomous or not able to care for themselves, do not possess dignity. In this volume it is claimed that vulnerability is an inherent part of human condition, and because human dignity belongs to all individuals, laws are called to recognize and protect the rights of all of them, particularly of those who might appear to be more vulnerable and fragile.
Description based upon print version of record.
Preface and Acknowledgements -- 1. Vulnerability and Human Dignity in the Age of Rights; Aniceto Masferrer and Emilio García-Sánchez -- PART I: Human Dignity of the Vulnerable: Ethical and Anthropological Perspectives -- 2. Vulnerability as a Part of Human Nature; Alfredo Marcos -- 3. Ethics of Vulnerability; Adela Cortina and Jesús Conill -- 4. Vulnerable: To be between life and death; Aquilino Cayuela -- 5. The Vulnerability of Life in the Philosophy of Hans Jonas; Paolo Becchi and oberto Franzini Tibaldeo -- PART II: Human Dignity of the Vulnerable: Biomedical and Sociological Perspectives -- 6. Biotechnologies inside the self: new challenges in clinical ontology; Luis Echarte -- 7. Paradoxes of authenticity: a neuroscientific approach to personal identity; Luis Echarte -- 8. Vulnerability at the end of life: A medical perspective; Joaquim Bosch and oan Vidal -- 9. Cosmetic Vulnerability. The new face of human fragility; Emilio García-Sánchez -- PART III: Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights: Historical, Legal Philosophical and Political Perspectives -- 10. Taking Human Dignity more Humanely A Historical Contribution to the Ethical Foundations of Constitutional Democracy; Aniceto Masferrer -- 11. Is vulnerability the foundation of human rights?; Roberto Andorno -- 12. The final fragility of the human being and the ‘right’ to die: biojuridical considerations; Claudio Sartea -- 13. Taking Vulnerability Seriously: What Does It Change for Bioethics and Politics?; Corine Pelluchon -- 14. The principle of respect for human vulnerability and assisted reproductive technologies; Vicente Bellver.
This volume is devoted to exploring a subject which, on the surface, might appear to be just a trending topic. In fact, it is much more than a trend. It relates to an ancient, permanent issue which directly connects with people’s life and basic needs: the recognition and protection of individuals’ dignity, in particular the inherent worthiness of the most vulnerable human beings. The content of this book is described well enough by its title: ‘Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights’. Certainly, we do not claim that only the human dignity of vulnerable people should be recognized and protected. We rather argue that, since vulnerability is part of the human condition, human vulnerability is not at odds with human dignity. To put it simply, human dignity is compatible with vulnerability. A concept of human dignity which discards or denies the dignity of the vulnerable and weak is at odds with the real human condition. Even those individuals who might seem more skilled and talented are fragile, vulnerable and limited. We need to realize that human condition is not limitless. It is crucial to re-discover a sense of moderation regarding ourselves, a sense of reality concerning our own nature. Some lines of thought take the opposite view. It is sometimes argued that humankind is – or is called to be – powerful, and that the time will come when there will be no vulnerability, no fragility, no limits at all. Human beings will become like God (or what believers might think God to be). This perspective rejects human vulnerability as in intrinsic evil. Those who are frail or weak, who are not autonomous or not able to care for themselves, do not possess dignity. In this volume it is claimed that vulnerability is an inherent part of human condition, and because human dignity belongs to all individuals, laws are called to recognize and protect the rights of all of them, particularly of those who might appear to be more vulnerable and fragile.
Law—Philosophy.
Law.
Ethics.
Anthropology.
Private international law.
Conflict of laws.
Aesthetics.
Theories of Law, Philosophy of Law, Legal History.
Ethics.
Anthropology.
Private International Law, International & Foreign Law, Comparative Law .
Aesthetics.