RESEARCH WORK IN PROGRESS

"The dignity of the human person? The expression means nothing if it does not signify that by virtue of natural law, the human person has the right to be respected, is the subject of rights, possesses rights." (J. Maritain, Christianity and Democracy & The Rights of Man and Natural Law, (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1986), pp. 144-145.)

The Research seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What does "Human Dignity" mean?
2. Is "Human Dignity" an intrinsic or extrinsic quality?
3. Is "Human Dignity" an inherent quality or is it conferred by the Society?
4. Is "Human Dignity" identified with Freedom or Autonomy? If so, can a terminally incurable sick person justify his or her request for euthanasia or Physician-assisted Suicide on the ground of his or her right to respect for his or her "Human Dignity"?
5. Who are those entitled to "right" to "Human Dignity"? All human Beings or only human beings who are recognized as "human persons" by the Constitution? Is every human being entitled to the "right" to "Human Dignity" irrespective of whether some human beings are not recognized as human persons by the State Constitution?
6. Have human embryos the "right" to "Human Dignity"?
7. What is the criterion for possessing a "right" to"Human Dignity" by a human entity? Is it the possession of human nature by a human entity or is it a recognition and conferment of such "right" on a human entity by the Society ?

8. Can human dignity of a person be respected without respecting his or her human rights and fundamental freedoms?
9. Is respect for the dignity of the Human Person only an ethical imperative or is it also a legal imperative?