Human dignity and the profoundly disabled: a theological perspective.

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Philosophy of Religion
• Disability Studies

Background:

• The concept of human dignity is often challenged as a tool to mask societal inequalities.
• Speciesist viewpoints privilege humans, with profoundly disabled individuals seen as a potential weakness in this argument.
• Philosophical understandings of human dignity exist, but their deepest roots are often found in theological contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reframe the profoundly disabled individual not as a weakness but as a source of strength and a witness to intrinsic human dignity.
• To explore the theological underpinnings of human dignity, particularly within Christian traditions.
• To argue for a reevaluation of societal values that prioritize strength and independence over interdependence and fragility.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical argumentation
• Theological analysis
• Critique of speciesism and societal values

Main Results:

• Profoundly disabled individuals embody the dual nature of human existence: strength and fragility.
• They serve as a testament to the intrinsic dignity inherent in all humans, regardless of ability.
• Their existence highlights the interdependence of all human beings and our reliance on a higher power.

Conclusions:

• The profoundly disabled hold a unique and privileged position in witnessing to human dignity.
• A theology of mission is relevant, as the disabled testify to interdependence in a world valuing autonomy.
• Intrinsic human dignity is rooted in theological insights, particularly Christian ones, and is exemplified by the profoundly disabled.