Dignity and Social Class

      Dignity is defined as the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. It is a principle that forms the underpinnings of the idea of class inequality. Joe Chuman's talk on the essence of dignity offers a philosophical look at the value itself. Chuman cites examples of what he calls "violations of human dignity," such as the massive loss of life in religious conflicts in the Middle East or the degradation of living conditions that occurs with economic deprivation, and argues that in order to understand the true scale of these issues, one must first understand what dignity is, and what it means to violate it. 

      Chuman, in the course of this discussion, addresses the issue of social class as it pertains to dignity, claiming that it is only through our subconscious understanding of dignity that social classes can exist. These classes are ordered hierarchically, with clear distinctions in perceived societal worth. As Chuman demonstrates, the idea of 'worth' with regards to human beings is inherent in the very definition of dignity. To have dignity is to have worth, to be a valued member of the human species. This is in direct contrast to the stark reality of hierarchical social structure, the idea that some human beings are worth more than others. 

      This conflict between the concept of dignity as a basic human trait, and the simple fact that social class exists, Chuman argues, is a direct by-product of society's refusal to recognize consciously the fact that all human beings have dignity. To prove this, Chuman uses seemingly obvious yet telling examples such as racism, religious discrimination, and extreme poverty. Each of these issues clearly demonstrates the dependance of class structures on the conscious refusal by dominant classes to recognize the humanity, and the dignity, of lower classes.  

      Chuman argues that to truly alleviate or end this type of inter-class conflict, society must begin, on the individual level, to consciously recognize the dignity of all human beings, regardless of their class affiliation. To do so would subvert the basic principle upon which social class is built. In order to create this hierarchical structure, Chuman argues, there must be some determinant for worth. Whether that determinant is economic, racial, or otherwise, it is maintained as a variable. According to this model, an individual's worth can be graded or valued as as being below or above any other individual's worth to society, based upon this determinant. These individuals, and the classes that they belong to, are thereby placed above or below other classes in a structure that affords respect to those on top, but very little to those on the bottom. 

      It is to render this determinant irrelevant, Chuman argues, that we must understand and recognize the dignity inherent in every human being. By doing so, we expose the fault inherent in assigning worth based upon class structures, and rediscover the basic humanity within individuals of classes other than our own.