Christianity and Human Dignity

Abstract This chapter explores the topic of Christianity and human dignity. The chapter opens by acknowledging the complexity of the issue at stake. Being an open-textured concept, human dignity appears in many different contexts and is attributed different, sometimes complementary, but also in part contrasting meanings. The chapter goes on to explore different uses of talk about human dignity and ascertains what contribution it is thought that human dignity can bring and what kinds of meaning it roughly encompasses, including within Christian narratives, where it is a central notion. Human dignity is studied as linked to status and relationality, to intrinsic value and becoming, and to dignified manner and vocation. The chapter also considers various critiques directed toward talk of human dignity and that point out the limits to that talk and misuse arising in the name of human dignity. The chapter ends by discussing human dignity more specifically in a legal human rights context. It explores what the talk of human dignity is thought to be able to achieve in that context.