Human dignity, rights and natural law

Abstract

The author analyzes the relationship between human dignity and Human Rights. He asked whether the concept of human dignity gave Human Rights a more objective character, differentiating it from the concept of Subjective Right and, if so, the question arises about the moral element that dignity would introduce in juridical terms. He then inquired about the possibility of a legal notion of dignity. It dwells on three theories about the concept: the theory of endowment that confers universality to dignity; relationship theory that depends on social consensus; and the theory of dignity as a social rank. The author critically analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each theory.