We talk a lot about ‘dignity and respect’ these days, and large organisations usually have ‘dignity and respect’ policies that seek to regulate conduct among staff in regard to things such as harassment and bullying. For instance, the University of Edinburgh Dignity and Respect Policy states:
Integrity, collegiality and inclusivity are central to the University’s values. In accordance with these values the University is committed to providing an environment in which all members of the University community treat each other with dignity and respect, and where bullying, harassment and discrimination are known to be unacceptable.
One question that arises is—what’s the difference between these two terms, as they are so often run together? Are they not almost synonyms? Here is one way of answering this. ‘Dignity’ indicates a basic worth we attribute to all human beings, as human beings (hence we often refer to ‘human dignity’). In this regard, as individuals, we are all equal, of value, and deserving of a baseline of humane treatment. ‘Respect’ on the other hand indicates recognition of achievements. It has to be earned. This can be in a specific practice, e.g. as an athlete, a musician, a manager, a business person. But it can also be in regard to personal character, a sign of recognition of someone’s integrity, honesty, fair-dealing, good judgment, and so on.
Continue reading “On Respect”