Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice (55))

This volume is devoted to exploring a subject which, on the surface, might appear to be just a trending topic. In fact, it is much more than a trend. It relates to an ancient, permanent issue which directly connects with people’s life and basic needs: the recognition and protection of individuals’ dignity, in particular the inherent worthiness of the most vulnerable human beings. The content of this book is described well enough by its title: ‘__Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights__’. Certainly, we do not claim that only the human dignity of vulnerable people should be recognized and protected. We rather argue that, since vulnerability is part of the human condition, human vulnerability is not at odds with human dignity. To put it simply, human dignity is compatible with vulnerability. A concept of human dignity which discards or denies the dignity of the vulnerable and weak is at odds with the real human condition. Even those individuals who might seem more skilled and talented are fragile, vulnerable and limited. We need to realize that human condition is not limitless. It is crucial to re-discover a sense of moderation regarding ourselves, a sense of reality concerning our own nature. Some lines of thought take the opposite view. It is sometimes argued that humankind is – or is called to be – powerful, and that the time will come when there will be no vulnerability, no fragility, no limits at all. Human beings will become like God (or what believers might think God to be). This perspective rejects human vulnerability as in intrinsic evil. Those who are frail or weak, who are not autonomous or not able to care for themselves, do not possess dignity. In this volume it is claimed that vulnerability is an inherent part of human condition, and because human dignity belongs to all individuals, laws are called to recognize and protect the rights of all of them, particularly of those who might appear to be more vulnerable and fragile. This Volume Is Devoted To Exploring A Subject Which, On The Surface, Might Appear To Be Just A Trending Topic. In Fact, It Is Much More Than A Trend. It Relates To An Ancient, Permanent Issue Which Directly Connects With People’s Life And Basic Needs: The Recognition And Protection Of Individuals’ Dignity, In Particular The Inherent Worthiness Of The Most Vulnerable Human Beings. The Content Of This Book Is Described Well Enough By Its Title: 'human Dignity Of The Vulnerable In The Age Of Rights.' Certainly, We Do Not Claim That Only The Human Dignity Of Vulnerable People Should Be Recognized And Protected. We Rather Argue That, Since Vulnerability Is Part Of The Human Condition, Human Vulnerability Is Not At Odds With Human Dignity. To Put It Simply, Human Dignity Is Compatible With Vulnerability. A Concept Of Human Dignity Which Discards Or Denies The Dignity Of The Vulnerable And Weak Is At Odds With The Real Human Condition. Even Those Individuals Who Might Seem More Skilled And Talented Are Fragile, Vulnerable And Limited. We Need To Realize That Human Condition Is Not Limitless. It Is Crucial To Re-discover A Sense Of Moderation Regarding Ourselves, A Sense Of Reality Concerning Our Own Nature. Some Lines Of Thought Take The Opposite View. It Is Sometimes Argued That Humankind Is (or Is Called To Be) Powerful, And That The Time Will Come When There Will Be No Vulnerability, No Fragility, No Limits At All. Human Beings Will Become Like God (or What Believers Might Think God To Be). This Perspective Rejects Human Vulnerability As In Intrinsic Evil. Those Who Are Frail Or Weak, Who Are Not Autonomous Or Not Able To Care For Themselves, Do Not Possess Dignity. In This Volume It Is Claimed That Vulnerability Is An Inherent Part Of Human Condition, And Because Human Dignity Belongs To All Individuals, Laws Are Called To Recognize And Protect The Rights Of All Of Them, Particularly Of Those Who Might Appear To Be More Vulnerable And Fragile--back Cov Vulnerability And Human Dignity In The Age Of Rights / Aniceto Masferrer And Emilio García-sánchez -- Vulnerability As A Part Of Human Nature / Alfredo Marcos -- Ethics Of Vulnerability / Adela Cortina And Jesús Conill -- Vulnerable : To Be Between Life And Death / Aquilino Cayuela -- Vulnerability Of Life In The Philosophy Of Hans Jonas / Paolo Becchi And Roberto Franzini Tibaldeo -- Biotechnologies Inside The Self : New Challenges In Clinical Ontology / Luis E. Echarte -- Paradoxes Of Authenticity : A Neuroscientific Approach To Personal Identity / Luis E. Echarte -- Vulnerability At The End Of Life : A Medical Perspective / Joaquim Bosch-barrera And Juan Vidal Bota -- Cosmetic Vulnerability : The New Face Of Human Frailty / Emilio García-sánchez -- Taking Human Dignity More Humanely / Aniceto Masferrer -- Is Vulnerability The Foundation Of Human Rights? / Roberto Andorno -- Fragility Of The Human Being And The 'right' To Die : Biojuridical Considerations / Claudio Sartea -- Taking Vulnerability Seriously : What Does It Change For Bioethics And Politics? / Corine Pelluchon -- Principle Of Respect For Human Vulnerability And Assisted Reproductive Technologies / Vicente Bellver. Aniceto Masferrer, Emilio García-sánchez, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References. La 4e de couverture indique : "This volume is devoted to exploring a subject which, on the surface, might appear to be just a trending topic. In fact, it is much more than a trend. It relates to an ancient, permanent issue which directly connects with people's life and basic needs: the recognition and protection of individuals' dignity, in particular the inherent worthiness of the most vulnerable human beings. The content of this book is described well enough by its title: 'Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights.' Certainly, we do not claim that only the human dignity of vulnerable people should be recognized and protected. We rather argue that, since vulnerability is part of the human condition, human vulnerability is not at odds with human dignity. To put it simply, human dignity is compatible with vulnerability. A concept of human dignity which discards or denies the dignity of the vulnerable and weak is at odds with the real human condition. Even those individuals who might seem more skilled and talented are fragile, vulnerable and limited. We need to realize that human condition is not limitless. It is crucial to re-discover a sense of moderation regarding ourselves, a sense of reality concerning our own nature. Some lines of thought take the opposite view. It is sometimes argued that humankind is (or is called to be) powerful, and that the time will come when there will be no vulnerability, no fragility, no limits at all. Human beings will become like God (or what believers might think God to be). This perspective rejects human vulnerability as in intrinsic evil. Those who are frail or weak, who are not autonomous or not able to care for themselves, do not possess dignity. In this volume it is claimed that vulnerability is an inherent part of human condition, and because human dignity belongs to all individuals, laws are called to recognize and protect the rights of all of them, particularly of those who might appear to be more vulnerable and fragile." Front Matter....Pages i-xv Vulnerability and Human Dignity in the Age of Rights....Pages 1-25 Front Matter....Pages 27-27 Vulnerability as a Part of Human Nature....Pages 29-44 Ethics of Vulnerability....Pages 45-61 Vulnerable: To Be Between Life and Death....Pages 63-79 The Vulnerability of Life in the Philosophy of Hans Jonas....Pages 81-120 Front Matter....Pages 121-121 Biotechnologies Inside the Self: New Challenges in Clinical Ontology....Pages 123-140 Paradoxes of Authenticity: A Neuroscientific Approach to Personal Identity....Pages 141-166 Vulnerability at the End of Life: A Medical Perspective....Pages 167-187 Cosmetic Vulnerability: The New Face of Human Frailty....Pages 189-217 Front Matter....Pages 219-219 Taking Human Dignity More Humanely....Pages 221-256 Is Vulnerability the Foundation of Human Rights?....Pages 257-272 The Fragility of the Human Being and the ‘Right’ to Die: Biojuridical Considerations....Pages 273-292 Taking Vulnerability Seriously: What Does It Change for Bioethics and Politics?....Pages 293-312 The Principle of Respect for Human Vulnerability and Assisted Reproductive Technologies....Pages 313-338