The Meaning-oriented Theory of Human Dignity

• Applicant: Dr. Roland Kipke
• Subject Area: Practical Philosophy
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 527672650

The aim of the project is to develop a new and integrative understanding of human dignity: the meaning-oriented theory of human dignity. This theory is intended to solve central problems of existing philosophical theories in determining and justifying human dignity while as well as in combining essential insights from them. This new theory focuses on the human pursuit of and need for a meaningful life. Respecting human dignity means therefore treating people as meaning-oriented beings, i.e. not depriving them of the possibility to lead a meaningful life, actively creating the minimal conditions for that and treating them as equal members in the community of meaning-oriented beings. Just as the human orientation on meaning in life marks the scope of protection of human dignity, it also forms its basis. This ability is more fundamental than other proposed abilities and includes them at the same time, such as autonomy, capacity of morality, self-withdrawal, ability to communal life. The obligation to respect human dignity is justified by tracing back to the condition of the possibility to live a meaningful life. This new approach can solve central problems in existing theories. This includes, among other things, the lack of universality (exclusion of certain groups of people) due to overly demanding requirements and the justificatory solipsism, which starts with claims that the self-interested actor supposedly necessarily raises and that are then tried to universalize in a second, problematic step. At the same time the meaning-oriented theory of human dignity can preserve and unite essential insights from various schools of theory, including Kantian, humiliationist and community-oriented theories of human dignity. The formal aim of the project is to develop the meaning-oriented theory of human dignity in the form of a book (habilitation) and to sharpen it through a series of papers, a workshop and a research stay in South Africa as well as to bring it thereby into the academic debate.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants