Human Dignity and Democracy

This book is a critical and constructive analysis of three challenging questions that continually hover on the rim of human consciousness: What makes a life worth living? How should I live, love, and die? Under what conditions can I lead a life worth living? First, the author argues that leading a life of individuality is the essence of meaning the human heart craves; second, attainment of meaning is the source of hope, courage, and strength we need to grow and develop as human individuals; and third, living a meaningful life is the basis of the attempt to justify the worthwhileness of the life people lead. A life poor in human meaning, regardless of whether it is endowed with wealth, pleasure, knowledge, fame, or longevity, is a life lived in the cellar of human existence. Second, the author argues that autonomy is the essence of human individuality and is the basis of human dignity. The essential feature of dignity is respect. By respect, the author means preserving integrity and continually promoting the well-being of the human individual. The democratic state is indispensable for the possibility of living in indignity because its building blocks are realized human values: it is a human environment par excellence.