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Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics pp 1–11Cite as

Human Dignity

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Abstract

The concept of human dignity plays an increasing role in contemporary ethics, bioethics, and human rights. This chapter aims, first, to present the major paradigms of dignity that have contributed over the centuries to shape the modern idea that every individual has inherent worth and accompanying rights; second, to stress that human dignity holds a prominent place as an overarching principle in the international documents relating to bioethics; and finally, to point out that the idea of dignity plays also an important guiding role as a moral standard for patient care at the bedside.

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Further Readings

  • Barilan, Y. M. (2012). Human dignity, human rights, and responsibility. The new language of global bioethics and biolaw. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Law, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

    Roberto Andorno

  2. PUC Rio University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Antonio Pele

Authors
  1. Roberto Andorno
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  2. Antonio Pele
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roberto Andorno .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Duquesne University Center for Healthcare Ethics, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Henk ten Have

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© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Andorno, R., Pele, A. (2015). Human Dignity. In: ten Have, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05544-2_231-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05544-2_231-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-05544-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Religion and PhilosophyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities

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