Humiliation, Degradation, Dehumanization

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

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2. Conceptions and Theories

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 19-19

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   2. Human Dignity Violated: A Negative Approach – Introduction

      • Paulus Kaufmann, Hannes Kuch, Christian Neuhäuser, Elaine Webster

      Pages 1-5

   3. Three Crucial Turns on the Road to an Adequate Understanding of Human Dignity

      • Ralf Stoecker

      Pages 7-17

   4. Humiliation: The Collective Dimension

      • Christian Neuhäuser

      Pages 21-36

   5. The Rituality of Humiliation: Exploring Symbolic Vulnerability

      • Hannes Kuch

      Pages 37-56

   6. Instrumentalization: What Does It Mean to Use a Person?

      • Paulus Kaufmann

      Pages 57-65

   7. Degradation: A Human Rights Law Perspective

      • Elaine Webster

      Pages 67-84

   8. Dehumanization: Perceiving the Body as (In)Human

      • Sophie Oliver

      Pages 85-97

3. Practices of Violating Human Dignity

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 99-99

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   2. Torture

      • Andreas Maier

      Pages 101-117

   3. Rape

      • Ivana Radačić

      Pages 119-132

   4. Social Exclusion

      • Steffen K. Herrmann

      Pages 133-149

   5. Absolute Poverty

      • Peter Schaber

      Pages 151-158

   6. Relative Poverty

      • Julia Müller, Christian Neuhäuser

      Pages 159-172

   7. Labor Exploitation

      • Kirsteen Shields

      Pages 173-189

   8. Bonded Labor

      • Tamara Enhuber

      Pages 191-212

4. Conclusions for a Positive Account of Human Dignity

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 213-213

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   2. Human Dignity and Human Rights

      • Marcus Düwell

      Pages 215-230

   3. Dignity and Preservation of Personhood

      • Samuel J. Kerstein

      Pages 231-241

Degradation, dehumanization, instrumentalization, humiliation, and nonrecognition – these concepts point to ways in which we understand human beings to be violated in their dignity. Violations of human dignity are brought about by concrete practices and conditions; some commonly acknowledged, such as torture and rape, and others more contested, such as poverty and exclusion. This volume collates reflections on such concepts and a range of practices, deepening our understanding of human dignity and its violation, bringing to the surface interrelationships and commonalities, and pointing to the values that are thereby shown to be in danger. In presenting a streamlined discussion from a negative perspective, complemented by conclusions for a positive account of human dignity, the book is at once a contribution to the body of literature on what dignity is and how it should be protected as well as constituting an alternative, fresh and focused perspective relevant to this significant recurring debate. As the concept of human dignity itself crosses disciplinary boundaries, this is mirrored in the unique range of perspectives brought by the book’s European and American contributors – in philosophy and ethics, law, human rights, literature, cultural studies and interdisciplinary research. This volume will be of interest to social and moral philosophers, legal and human rights theorists, practitioners and students.

• bonded labor
• degradation
• dehumanization
• embodyment
• human dignity
• human rights
• humiliation
• instrumentalization
• labour exploitation
• non-recognition
• poverty
• rape
• social exclusion
• torture

• Ethik-Zentrum, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

  Paulus Kaufmann

• SFB Kulturen des Performativen, FU Berlin, Berlin, Germany

  Hannes Kuch

• Philosophische Fak., Inst. Philosophie, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

  Christian Neuhaeuser

• Law School, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom

  Elaine Webster

Policies and ethics