Dignity as a Way of Life - a treatise on the diversity of human dignity

Dignity is mankind’s greatest asset, but what exactly does it entail? Peter Bieri’s longawaited new book focuses on one of life’s central themes. Dignity manifests itself in many guises, and is therefore impossible to encapsulate within a single frame of reference. So the author adopts the approach of an observer: in what situations do we preserve our dignity and when do we risk losing it? Drawing on examples from both everyday life and literature, he develops a concept of human dignity as the fulcrum upon which our attitude towards ourselves and our interaction with others hinges. Bieri concludes that far from being an abstract ideal, dignity is nothing less than a way of life; it finds expression in our promoting independence, veracity and authenticity as defining factors in all of our actions and interactions. Bieri states his case in remarkably lucid terms: the result is a major work of philosophy that nevertheless caters to a wider audience; a book that addresses a central theme of human existence.