Raphael Emilio M. Pablo
EURO 182.4i-O
Module 3 Paper
The Development Of Human Dignity In Europe
The values of Human Dignity, Freedom, Democracy, Equality, Rule of law, and
Human rights are the foundational values of the European Union. Although widely
recognized as a secular body, its history has left behind fragments of the influence of
Judeo-Christian in some of its values–particularly Human Dignity. Although Human Dignity
is regarded as what “constitutes the real basis of fundamental rites”, as per the European
Union’s official website, secularism in the European Union has led to a conflicting adaptation
of what Human Dignity is regarding the history of Europe and what it is today. The European
Union’s value of Human Rights is a secular value with arguable Judeo-Christian influences to
the extent that it has adapted to bridge European religious and secular worldviews.
In regards to Judeo-Christian tradition and scriptures, Human Dignity can be
recognized as a foundational principle in the Old Testament of the Bible, which is recognized
and respected by both the Jews and Christians, one of the lines read early on in Genesis states
that “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27). According to the passage, no human being is
exempt from being created in the image of God. This passage marks an emphasis on the very
worth of every human being.
The passage also lays the fundamental groundwork for other EU values such as
equality. If all human beings were created in God’s image, then that effectively eliminates a
characteristic of hierarchy between humans. Aegidius Romanus saw this clearly in the
Middle Ages of Europe in his critique of the Papacy as “ Although he admits that the two
powers are distinct, at least in theory, he makes them both alike dependent on the Pope as
their ultimate source. For since God is the source of all authority and since there is neither
law nor justice save in obedience to Him, it follows that all rights whether political or
economic, are ultimately dependent on the authority of God’s vicar on earth, and the prince
who rebels against the Pope thereby destroys the basis of his own derived and delegated
power.”(Dawson and Boyle 1954, 80). When it came to advocating for the dignity of each
and every human, Christians played a significant role.
German Philosopher Immanuel Kant had his theories of reasoning and ethics
grounded in Christian belief. Kant allegedly understood religion as something rational which
is why the principles of Christianity are not to be relegated from the public sphere
(Tomaszewaska 2016, 133). The Judeo-Christian belief is not merely a collection of teachings
and commands but rather it is rational and grounded in, and for humanity. The belief puts
heavy emphasis on the sanctity of human life as the dignity of each individual is duly
recognized.
It would not be correct to solely attribute the concept of human dignity to
Judeo-Christianity alone as Western secular thoughts and practices have also played
significant roles in shaping Europe, the EU, and the values they are founded upon. Solely
relying on religious beliefs is not a rather justified approach according to the philosopher
John Locke. Locke believed that religious matters are to be kept private as issues and
conflicts should also be subject to civil procedures (Tomaszewaska 2016, 134).
Enlightenment thinkers such as Locke now emphasized reason and a civil structure that
protects human rights. Though at the time this was seen as challenging the traditional norms
and conventions of Christianity, it ultimately paved the way for other aspects of Human
Dignity such as a person’s freedom to speak, and the ultimate separation of the church and
state.
After years of conflict and war within Europe, Human Dignity became something that
needed to be justly protected whether under the influence of religion or not. Figures such as
Hitler is an ineffable example of how despite being Christian, which should imply that he at
least to some degree, shares some beliefs with the Jews, still violated the very dignity that his
and the Jew’s God gave to the people.
Contemporary Europe is where one can see how Human Dignity has adapted to serve
the needs of the people. With issues such as racism still heavily on the radar in Europe, the
emergence of secular advocates for Human Dignity has shed light on how this very value is a
secular value. There are still plenty of religious leaders however, most notably the pope, who
are also advocates for the same Dignity that the previously mentioned secular advocates push
for. Although the roots of Human Dignity can be traced back to Judeo-Christian scriptures
and teachings, those have proven to be insufficient in protecting Human Dignity. As Europe
secularized, the approach to Human Dignity has adapted as well to best serve the needs of the
people.
Bibliography
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