Human Dignity and the Law

This is a discussion of some aspects of human dignity and the legal system. It includes a discussion of the philosophical roots of the concept and how they are reflected in the law, the ways in which the law upholds human dignity and the circumstances under which and the extent to which it is permissible for the State through its laws to act towards individuals in ways which have the effect of diminishing their dignity as human beings. The discussion deals primarily with Western systems especially those which have their origins in the common law tradition such as Australia, the UK and the USA.