谁之尊严?何以配享?--一项基于古罗马语境的概念考释

Whose Dignity?How to Enjoy?——An Interpretation of a Concept Based on the Context of Ancient Roman

尊严和人权在当今被公认是两个相互协调的原则,然而从谱系学的角度来看,将尊严设定为人权的基础,仅是现代人的发明。在古典语境中,尊严被表征为一种政治价值,致敬的是公共事业中的卓越者。作为对政治功勋的奖赏与回报,尊严的配享者有权要求得到国家的承认,并给予恰当的礼遇和敬重。获取尊严有“先赋”与“后致”两种方式,前者依据高贵的血统,后者凭借显赫的军功,以及在常态国家治理中的出色表现。但无论如何,尊严都是在一种差序格局中被定义的。这跟现代社会所强调的尊严面前人人平等的价值取向殊为不同。在古罗马,作为对道德至善的礼赞,尊严也要求驯服和控制肉体欲望,因而其价值立场并非弘扬属于每一个人的自然权利,而是凸显那些卓越者的高位阶与强义务。

Dignity and Human Rights are recognized as two principles that coordinate with each other.However,it is an invention of modern people to set dignity as the basis of human rights from a genealogical point of view.In the classical context,dignity was represented as a political value,honoring excellence in public service.As a reward and return for political services,dignity holders are entitled to be recognized by the state and treated with appropriate courtesy and respect.There are two ways to get dignity,“bestowed in advance”and“awarded afterwards”.The former relies on noble blood,while the latter on eminent military achievements and outstanding performance in normal state governance.In any case,dignity is defined in a differential pattern.It is quite different from the value of Equality for All in dignity,which is emphasized in modern society.In ancient Rome,as a tribute to moral excellence,dignity also required the taming and control of physical desire,so the value of dignity did not honor the natural rights of each human being,but rather the high rank and strong obligation of the excellent.