古典尊严理念与现代尊严理念之比照

A Comparison between Classical and Modern Ideas of Dignity

尊严概念,在西方道德哲学中处于核心地位。在西方哲学史上,人们普遍认为,尊严概念在康德的道德哲学中得到了最有力的表述。但事实上,在古希腊哲学家亚里士多德那里已有了对尊严概念的阐释。但不管是亚里士多德还是康德,他们对于尊严的理解还是奠基于对人性的理解之上。而现代道德哲学中的尊严或自尊概念不仅改变了对人性的要求,而且更注重于社会对人的尊重和承认。这一转向背后有哲学理念的深刻转变,它既包括人们对自主性的新理解,也包括随着价值多元论的兴起而出现的认同政治的挑战。

The idea of dignity is a core of Western moral philosophy.In the history of Western philosophy,it was generally thought that the best account of dignity was expressed by Kant.However actually Aristotle did interpret his idea of dignity thousands of years ago.Either Aristotle or Kant interpreted dignity based on their understandings of human nature.But modern moral philosophy not only changes the requirement of human nature but shifts its emphasis of the question on social respects and recognition of human beings.Behind that shift there are deep philosophical reasons.These reasons may be explained according to new understandings of autonomy and challenges of identity politics with a rise of value pluralism.