essay about dignity and self respect

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Dignity, Character, and Self-Respect

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Respect Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on respect.

Respect is a broad term. Experts interpret it in different ways. Generally speaking, it is a positive feeling or action expressed towards something. Furthermore, it could also refer to something held in high esteem or regard. Showing Respect is a sign of ethical behavior . Unfortunately, in the contemporary era, there has been undermining of the value of Respect. Most noteworthy, there are two essential aspects of Respect. These aspects are self-respect and respect for others.

Self-Respect

Self-Respect refers to loving oneself and behaving with honour and dignity. It reflects Respect for oneself. An individual who has Self-Respect would treat himself with honour. Furthermore, lacking Self-Respect is a matter of disgrace. An individual who does not respect himself, should certainly not expect Respect from others. This is because nobody likes to treat such an individual with Respect.

Self-Respect is the foundation of a healthy relationship . In relationships, it is important to respect your partner. Similarly, it is equally important to Respect yourself. A Self-Respecting person accepts himself with his flaws. This changes the way how others perceive the individual. An individual, who honours himself, would prevent others from disrespecting him. This certainly increases the value of the individual in the eyes of their partner.

Lacking Self-Respect brings negative consequences. An individual who lacks Self-Respect is treated like a doormat by others. Furthermore, such an individual may engage in bad habits . Also, there is a serious lack of self-confidence in such a person. Such a person is likely to suffer verbal or mental abuse. The lifestyle of such an individual also becomes sloppy and untidy.

Self-Respect is a reflection of toughness and confidence. Self-Respect makes a person accept more responsibility. Furthermore, the character of such a person would be strong. Also, such a person always stands for his rights, values, and opinions.

Self-Respect improves the morality of the individual. Such an individual has a good ethical nature. Hence, Self-Respect makes you a better person.

Self-Respect eliminates the need to make comparisons. This means that individuals don’t need to make comparisons with others. Some people certainly compare themselves with others on various attributes. Most noteworthy, they do this to seek validation of others. Gaining Self-Respect ends all that.

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Respect of Others

Everyone must Respect fellow human beings. This is an essential requirement of living in a society. We certainly owe a basic level of Respect to others. Furthermore, appropriate Respect must be shown to people who impact our lives. This includes our parents, relatives, teachers, friends, fellow workers, authority figures, etc.

One of the best ways of showing respect to others is listening. Listening to another person’s point of view is an excellent way of Respect. Most noteworthy, we must allow a person to express his views even if we disagree with them.

Another important aspect of respecting others is religious/political views. Religious and cultural beliefs of others should be given a lot of consideration. Respecting other people’s Religions is certainly a sign of showing mature Respect.

Everyone must Respect those who are in authority. Almost everyone deals with people in their lives that hold authority. So, a healthy amount of Respect should be given to such people. People of authority can be of various categories. These are boss, police officer, religious leader, teacher, etc.

In conclusion, Respect is a major aspect of human socialization. It is certainly a precious value that must be preserved. Respectful behaviour is vital for human survival.

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The Importance of Human Dignity

Personal perspective: resilient individuals weave compassion into their lives..

Posted December 31, 2023 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

• What Is Resilience?
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• No one possesses the power to strip away our intrinsic worth, identity, and dignity.
• Resilient, dignified individuals weave compassion and empathy into their lives, even in moments of pain.
• There is an enduring presence of people and groups tirelessly committed to fostering peace amidst turmoil.

The profound pearls of wisdom found in the Bible, the Koran, and the teachings of Buddha underscore the paramount importance of human dignity. The book of Genesis eloquently expresses that human dignity emanates from divinity itself. Each human life is deemed sacred, symbolizing an embodiment of God's presence among us. Shomali (2017) asserts that Islamic traditions reveal principles, ethics , and guidelines dedicated to upholding human dignity, while Ikeda (2006) highlights in Buddhism a fundamental guiding principle of deep concern and unwavering commitment to respecting both individual and inherent dignity in all of life. In Judaism, it's affirmed that human rights trace back to the fundamental idea of humans created in the image of God, establishing not only a right to dignity and freedom but also their responsibility to safeguard them.

No one possesses the power to strip away our dignity.

Life is an intricate tapestry woven with threads of joy and suffering. Throughout our journeys, we may encounter moments of profound woundedness and brokenness as others attempt to inflict harm upon us and dismantle what we cherish. It's crucial to remember that no one possesses the power to strip away our intrinsic worth, identity , and dignity. Regardless of the trials we face, our inherent value remains inviolable. Dr. Edith Eger (2017), a Holocaust survivor, poignantly recalls her mother's words in the cattle car to Auschwitz: "No one can take away from you what you put here in your own mind." Eger goes on to say, "I am a human being who went through an experience. It's not my identity. It's not who I am. It's what was done to me." Dignity is woven into Eger's inspiring messages.

Resilient Individuals maintain their dignity and the dignity of others.

Being a dignified individual is intrinsically linked to resilience . Resilient, dignified individuals weave compassion and empathy into their lives, even in moments of pain and disillusionment. Resilience includes acknowledging historical and present trauma . They nurture well-being through wellness practices and surround themselves with individuals who uplift and treat them with respect and dignity. When they disagree with others, they remember to maintain their dignity and the dignity of the other person. As human beings, they strive for this goal but may fail, even with the best intentions. For example, in the heat of an argument, a person may lose their footing and treat another with a lack of respect and dignity. If this happens, a person striving to be dignified and respectful will seek to repair what has transpired, asking for forgiveness .

How do we nurture our humanity when faced with inhumanity?

A challenge for all who seek peaceful resolutions is that there may be people we encounter who do not treat others with dignity or respect. The question then becomes, "How do we nurture our humanity when faced with inhumanity?" The horrors of terrorism and war mercilessly uproot human dignity from its foundational principles. In recent months, as a global community, we have witnessed both the darkest and most encouraging facets of human behavior. In 2023, Lesley Carroll, a Presbyterian Minister from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who has dedicated a significant portion of her life to the pursuit of peace, offered a crucial insight. She emphasized there is always an enduring presence of individuals and groups tirelessly committed to fostering peace amidst turmoil.

New Ground is a brighter side of humanity.

When we embrace the profound value of every individual, we lay the essential groundwork for mutual respect and acknowledgment of our shared humanity. The brighter side of humanity that has emerged in recent times is exemplified by initiatives such as New Ground, a remarkable group based in Los Angeles. New Ground envisions an America in which Muslims and Jews are not only encouraged but empowered to establish enduring partnerships, engage in authentic communication, and collaborate mutually towards lasting peace—a fundamental step towards harmonious coexistence.

Even in the face of tragic events, there exists a glimmer of hope in organizations like New Ground. They attest to being a dynamic model of engagement, unburdened by historical grievance, theological difference, or political entanglement. Their work underscores the belief that while conflict may be unavoidable, it need not be insurmountable.

We can cultivate our own wellspring of dignity and respect.

When we cannot find humanity in the words or the actions of others, we can cultivate our own wellspring of dignity and respect and not revenge . When we approach others with an earnest desire to comprehend divergent viewpoints, we possess the potential to facilitate peaceful coexistence. Ultimately, the experiences in our lives can bestow upon us a profound sense of purpose, igniting a passionate drive to extend a helping hand to those who are suffering. Our struggles can metamorphose into our greatest source of strength, becoming a wellspring of hope for those who may have lost their way. When we treat others with dignity and respect, we possess the power to be a part of transformative change in the world.

The Holy Bible, Genesis 1:26-27,English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good

Shomali, M. (2017) Honor and Dignity in Islam, Part 1, Message of Thaqalayn Vol. 18, no. 1, Spring 2017, downloaded https://www.al-islam.org/message-thaqalayn/vol-18-no-1-spring-2017/hono…

Human Dignity and Freedom, Issues in Jewish Ethics, Jewish Virtual Library, Source: Encyclopaedia Judaica . © 2007 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.

Eger , Edith Eva, et al. The Choice : Embrace the Possible . First Scribner hardcover edition. New York, Scribner, 2017.

Carroll, Lesley, Lessons Learned from Belfast:Healing the Wounds of Conflict , VoiceAmerica Radio, Resiliency Within, October 23, 2023.

Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, an internationally-known trauma therapist and key developer of the Community and Trauma Resiliency Models, is a co-founder of the nonprofit Trauma Resource Institute.

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Why It's Important to Have High Self-Esteem

Sarah Vanbuskirk has over 20 years of experience as a writer and editor, covering a range of health, wellness, lifestyle, and family-related topics. Her work has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites, including The Spruce, Activity Connection, Glamour, PDX Parent, Self, Verywell Fit, TripSavvy, Marie Claire, and TimeOut New York.

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

Verywell / Laura Porter

What Is Self-Esteem?

• Defining High Self-Esteem
• Why It's Important

Risks of Low Self-Esteem

Can you have too much self-esteem.

• Contributing Factors

Cultivating High Self-Esteem

Ways to improve self-esteem.

It's easy to discount the importance of having high self-esteem. However, having positive personal regard can be the difference between feeling good about and taking care of yourself and not.

We've likely all heard the advice to believe in yourself, value yourself, be your own cheerleader, and that you can't fully love others until you love yourself —and all of that is true. But what exactly does that really mean in real life? Essentially, that having high self-esteem is vital to a successful, happy life .

But how exactly do you know if your self-esteem is high enough? Below, we'll take a look at what self-esteem is, why it's important, and how to build yours up.

We'll also break down the negative effects of having low self-esteem, the difference between occasionally being down on yourself and truly having poor self-esteem, whether your self-esteem can be too high, factors that contribute to low self-esteem, and tips for cultivating a more positive self-outlook and self-respect.

In order to have high self-esteem, it's important to understand what self-esteem really is. Self-esteem is giving respect and admiration to yourself. The American Psychological Association defines self-esteem as "the degree to which the qualities and characteristics contained in one’s self-concept are perceived to be positive."

High self-esteem is not just liking yourself but generally affording yourself love, value, dignity, and respect, too. Positive self-esteem also means believing in your capability (to learn, achieve, and contribute to the world) and autonomy to do things on your own. It means you think your ideas, feelings, and opinions have worth.

In other words, self-esteem is how you feel about yourself (inside and out), encompassing what you think about and value in yourself and how you relate to others. It's also related to how you feel others view, treat, and value you. This is why those in abusive situations or who have experienced trauma (particularly as children) are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, concurrently and in the future, as a result.

Self-esteem isn't dependent entirely on one thing or set of thoughts. Instead, a person's self-esteem is made up of your view of all the things that define you as a person, including your personality, accomplishments, talents, capabilities, background, experiences, relationships, and physical body, as well as how you perceive others see you.

Each person may put a particular emphasis on certain areas that impact self-esteem, such as putting extra importance on your looks , relationship status, talents, or professional accomplishments (or lack thereof), when forming your self-image and how you feel about it.

Self-Esteem vs. Depression

Note, too, that low self-esteem is not the same as depression . While the two concepts overlap, low self-esteem is considered a risk factor for depression (see more on this below) rather than being the same thing.

While depression is a mental health condition that impacts the mind and body, self-esteem describes the way you think and feel about yourself. Additionally, some people have more stable self-esteem, while other's feelings about themselves are more mood- and life event-reactive—and more prone to plummet.  

Remember, whether your self-esteem is high or low is influenced by the many factors that make you, you—some of which are in your control, some are not.

Ultimately, what matters most is what you focus on from those many factors and how much grace and compassion you afford yourself with regard to the things you're less thrilled about.

Whether you realize it or not, your self-esteem is the picture you paint of yourself, the parts of you that you choose to emphasize. Essentially, as famed naturalist philosopher Henry David Thoreau once said, "The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”

What It Means to Have High Self-Esteem

High self-esteem means generally holding yourself in positive regard. This doesn't mean you love everything about yourself or think you are perfect. On the contrary, even for those with high self-esteem, it's common to be self-critical and have some parts of yourself that you are less proud of or happy with than other elements.

However, if you have high self-esteem, the positive thoughts about yourself outweigh the negative—and the negative doesn't make you discount your worth as a person . High self-esteem can also fluctuate depending on the circumstance.

Essentially, high self-esteem is a frame of mind that lets you celebrate your strengths, challenge your weaknesses, and feel good about yourself and your life. It allows you to put daily ups and downs in perspective because, at your core, you value, trust, and respect yourself. High self-esteem helps you say, "I've had a bad day," for example, instead of saying, "I have a bad life."

High self-esteem also helps you understand that everything isn't about you, enabling you to not take everything personally and not be overly reactive. Strong self-respect lets you see beyond yourself and feel confident of your place in the world.

Characteristics of high self-esteem include:

• Holding yourself in positive regard
• Celebrating your strengths and challenging your weaknesses
• Keeping daily ups and downs in perspective
• Having strong self-respect and self-confidence

Interestingly, having high self-esteem does not always align with the circumstances or qualities that you might objectively assume should correlate with feeling good about yourself.

For example, some research shows that physical attractiveness does not predict high self-esteem . In fact, one study showed that teens with "facial attractiveness" scored lower on self-esteem ratings than their peers. In other words, the person who seems to have it all—great job, romantic partner, beauty, fit body—may not see it that way.

Signs of High Self-Esteem

How do you know if you have high self-esteem? Here are a few signs:

• You feel comfortable expressing your opinions, if they are different from those around you.
• You're confident in your abilities.
• You don't let challenges hold you back.
• You don't let a setback change how you feel about yourself.
• You treat yourself with love and respect versus calling yourself names or discrediting yourself.
• You're willing to set boundaries with people who don't value and respect you

Why High Self-Esteem Is Important

According to the American Psychological Association, having high self-esteem is key to positive mental health and well-being. High self-esteem is good because it helps you develop coping skills , handle adversity, and put the negative into perspective.

If you have a higher self-concept you also don't tend to put undue focus, blame, self-doubt, hopelessness, or weight on the parts you aren't happy about. You're also better able to cope with stress , anxiety, and pressure, whether from school, work, home, or peers.

Rather than feeling hopeless , stuck, or unworthy due to any perceived "failings," a person with high self-esteem is more likely to look for what they can change or improve upon. If struggling with a project at work, for example, someone with high self-esteem might ask a supervisor for help coming up with solutions versus berating themselves for being ineffective at their job.

Conversely, someone with low self-esteem is more likely to become entrenched in negative feelings about themself. In fact, research shows that feeling positive and respectful about yourself, particularly as a child, goes a long way in helping you adapt and adjust to the challenges of life.

A healthy self-concept and self-respect can enable you to realize that it's not the end of the world if something goes wrong, someone rejects you, you make a mistake, or you have some faults.

Self-Esteem and Prosocial Behavior

High self-esteem is also linked to prosocial behavior (actions with the intent to benefit others, such as generosity and qualities like empathy), flexibility, and positive familial relationships. In fact, a 2014 study found that college students with higher self-esteem and more loving and supportive relationships with their families were more successful at school and adapted better to the social adjustment of living in a new environment.  

Self-Esteem and Stress

How you experience stress is also strongly related to your level of self-esteem. Prosocial behavior (which, as noted above, is more likely with higher self-esteem) is known to reduce the negative impact of stressors on daily life, helping you to manage stress more effectively.   Studies have also found a positive relationship between positive self-esteem and motivation to accomplish goals, self-efficacy, and self-control.   Higher levels of self-esteem are also predictive of greater academic success.  

High Self-Esteem Boosts Overall Well-Being

Additionally, high self-esteem is considered to be protective against many mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. In fact, studies show that having high self-esteem is directly correlated to your satisfaction with your life and to the ability to maintain a favorable attitude about yourself in challenging situations.  

Research also shows that people with higher self-esteem are happier in their jobs, have better social relationships, and generally, a more positive sense of well-being.  

Like many elements of mental health, researchers often describe self-esteem as existing on a spectrum.

Like anything in life, your self-image is prone to change and grow as you mature and live your life, and in response to key life events.

However, it's also true that people tend toward a certain set-point of self-esteem that can be persistent, whether high, low, or somewhere in between. Social interactions, attention, emotional regulation, decision-making, and life satisfaction are all impacted by lower self-image.

As noted above, when you have high self-esteem, you're better able to shake off unfavorable events and the negative judgments or moods of others that may be directed your way. Conversely, when you have a lower self-concept, you're more likely to take criticism or rejection personally and to assume someone else's problems are about you.  

This combination can make people with low self-esteem more reactive to day-to-day circumstances and personal interactions. Those with lower self-esteem are also less likely to keep their emotions in check, cope well with challenges, and look at life from a healthy perspective.

Often low self-esteem means small things become blown up into bigger issues that can feel insurmountable, further ratcheting down self-regard.

Feeling Down vs. Poor Self-Esteem

Essentially, low self-esteem isn't just having a bad mood or a bad day. Everyone feels down when negative things happen but these feelings typically pass and, especially for those with positive self-esteem, don't have a drastic impact on self-worth. Instead, low self-esteem is a chronically negative self-image that, while it may ebb and flow with the positive and negative events in your life, for the most part, stays with you over time, regardless of life circumstances.

Your level of self-regard may be, in part, a function of the natural variation in personality types , affect, genetics, and/or in response to upbringing, peers, and life events. However, when self-esteem is particularly low, as noted above, it can put you at risk of many mental health challenges.

Susceptibility to Depression

The link between low self-esteem and mental health conditions is particularly strong. Interestingly, research shows convincingly that poor self-esteem contributes to depression , rather than the reverse. This means that depression doesn't create low self-regard. Instead, thinking poorly of yourself makes you more vulnerable to depression.  

Additionally, studies indicate that higher self-esteem offers protection from mental health conditions, likely due to the improved coping skills, higher positivity, and resiliency that comes with this more accepting and affirmative self-talk.   Essentially, low self-esteem begets feeling bad about yourself, which makes leading a fulfilling life, reaching your goals , and having positive social and intimate relationships harder.

Critically, studies show that low self-esteem is highly correlated to depression, anxiety , emotional problems, substance use , stress, eating disorders , and suicidal ideation .   Research also shows a strong correlation between low self-esteem and anxiety disorders , particularly with social phobias and social anxiety disorder .  

If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, contact the  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  at  988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see our  National Helpline Database .

Risky Behaviors

Studies also show a link between poor self-esteem and an increased risk of risky health behaviors, particularly in teens, such as drug and alcohol use, drunk driving, self-harm , smoking, and carrying a weapon.   Essentially, those who value and respect themselves the least are more willing to make more dangerous choices that may impact their health and safety.

Additionally, improvements in self-esteem are shown to be helpful in the recovery from addiction . In fact, studies show that this relationship of low self-esteem and poor choices is particularly evident in adolescents who already are at a disadvantage for decision-making due to their still-developing executive function skills .   Research has also found a link between low self-esteem and risky sexual behaviors in teens.  

Low Self-Confidence

Research also finds a clear correlation between low self-confidence and low self-esteem, as well as the reverse. Additionally, having high self-confidence encourages self-reliance, self-advocacy, and trust in yourself and your abilities, all factors that bolster high self-esteem—and create a framework for positive mental health and quality of life.  

An unrealistic or overly elevated self-concept may be as unhealthy as a negative one. However, it's important to distinguish between healthy high self-esteem and arrogance. High self-esteem is not being egotistical, thinking you are infallible, or better than others.

High Self-Esteem vs. Arrogance and Narcissism

Arrogance is when a person's self-concept veers from reality and becomes the dominant force in their life, and we might assume that too much self-esteem equals an inflated ego.

However, this type of narcissistic self-concept isn't necessarily a natural progression from healthy self-esteem, which values the self but not above all others.

Instead, narcissism or arrogance describes a person who focuses primarily on themselves, considers themselves more important or worthwhile than others, and often, doesn't even think about how their actions impact those around them. Really, it can be argued that what looks like "too much self-esteem" is actually the opposite.

In fact, while narcissists may seem to have high self-esteem, studies show that grandiose beliefs about yourself often actually mask a poor self-image, feelings of shame, and self-directed anger hiding underneath.

People with narcissistic personality disorder are also more prone to comorbid mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, experience feelings of helplessness, and have unstable personal relationships.  

Factors Contributing to Low or High Self-Esteem

While, as noted above, a complex web of influences combine to shape your identity, personality, and self-concept, there are specific factors that predict high or low self-esteem. Namely, factors that impact self-esteem include whether or not you had a supportive upbringing, where your needs, thoughts, feelings, contributions, and ideas are valued. Positive thinking , heredity , personal outlook, your peers, and other role models all matter a lot as well.  

Experiencing challenging life events or trauma like divorce, violence, racism, neglect, poverty, a natural disaster, being bullied, or otherwise treated poorly can also contribute to low self-esteem.  

The effectiveness of your coping skills , the relative positivity of your personal outlook, and general resiliency, all factors that can be innate or learned, greatly impact the influence negative experiences may have on your self-esteem as well.  

Cultivating high self-esteem (and resiliency) is no easy task, but it's certainly possible and within your grasp—and can make a huge difference in your life. As noted above, it's key to understand that a significant component of self-esteem is your thought patterns, what you focus on, and optimism rather than simply on objective facts or events of your life.

In other words, it's about what you see (and say to yourself) when looking at your physical self, skills, accomplishments, or future potential.

Building up your self-esteem takes work, determination, and a willingness to examine and counter negative thoughts about yourself—and to actively bolster your self-image with positive ones. It's vital to give yourself grace, to let go of certain things that bother you as well as to work on those areas that you can (and want) to change.

If you value yourself, and have high enough self-worth, you also know that you deserve to take care of yourself, which then can contribute to trying to do things to improve your self-esteem. It's difficult to take care of yourself if you think poorly of yourself.

Studies show that forgiving yourself for things you regret can also help improve self-esteem.   Essentially, it's about accepting and loving yourself as you are.

When to Get Help

If you have low self-esteem, it can be helpful to work with a counselor or other mental health professional to begin changing your negative self-talk and improve how you see and value yourself.

As noted above, improving your self-esteem takes practice and intention but is well worth your efforts, as there is a clear link between high self-esteem and quality of life. Some strategies that can help you think more favorably about yourself include the following:

Accept Compliments

Notice the urge to deflect praise and instead, hear it and let it in. Interestingly, research shows that difficulty accepting compliments is directly correlated with low self-esteem.  

Give Yourself a Break

Forgive yourself for mistakes and squash your negative self-theories and self-talk . No one is perfect or loves everything about themselves. Don't expect that of yourself. When you start on a negative spiral, ask yourself if you're being fair to yourself or realistic.

Love Yourself—Flaws And All

Yes, you may have things you wish were different, want to change, or just plain aren't happy with, but love and respect yourself anyway.

Value the Person You Are

Aim to accept and find worth in who you are right now. Seek out and feel pride in what makes you unique, happy, and valued.

Recognize the Importance of High Self-Esteem

Once you begin to see how your view of yourself impacts life satisfaction and well-being, you may be more motivated to alter your thinking and value yourself more.

Seek Support

Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy , can help you work on issues that may be impeding your positive self-outlook and help you build skills to disrupt negative self-talk and attain a more optimistic view of yourself.

Start a Gratitude Journal

In a gratitude journal , write down all the positive things in your life, the things you like about yourself, the accomplishments or qualities you are proud of—then read it over whenever you're feeling down about yourself.

Take Note of Your Thoughts

When negative ones arise, actively choose to either work productively on the issues or decide to let them go. When you have positive thoughts, aim to amplify them, particularly whenever less favorable thinking pops up.

Think of Yourself as a Friend

You're likely to be more patient, forgiving, kind, encouraging, supportive, and proud as you assess a friend than you are of yourself. So, next time you're beating up on yourself, step back, shift your perspective, and look at yourself as you would a friend.

Work on Yourself

If there are things about yourself or your life that you don't feel good about, consider what changes you can make. Then, make a plan to put those changes into action.

11 Kant on Respect, Dignity, and the Duty of Respect

• Published: October 2013
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It is a familiar theme that Kant bequeathed to modern moral thought the doctrine that all rational beings or persons have a dignity that makes them equally worthy of respect. Frequently this characterization is put forward based on Kant's most familiar ethical writings, Groundwork and The Critique of Practical Reason . However, when one looks carefully at these and the rest of Kant's corpus, a much more complicated and puzzling picture emerges. Kant often treats the dignity of persons as a species of merit rather than anything persons have regardless of merit. This chapter discusses the fascinating details of Kant's writings on respect and dignity. Although Kant sometimes conceives of dignity as involving a standing every person has to demand or ‘exact’ respect, Kant also treats dignity as a value we can all achieve, but only when we properly exercise our capacity for moral choice.

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Hate Speech, Dignity and Self-Respect

• Published: 10 July 2016
• Volume 19 , pages 1103–1116, ( 2016 )

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• Jonathan Seglow 1  

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This paper engages with the recent dignity-based argument against hate speech proposed by Jeremy Waldron. It’s claimed that while Waldron makes progress by conceptualising dignity less as an inherent property and more as a civic status which hate speech undermines, his argument is nonetheless subject to the problem that there are many sources of citizens’ dignitary status besides speech. Moreover, insofar as dignity informs the grounds of individuals’ right to free speech, Waldron’s argument leaves us balancing hate speakers’ dignity against the dignity of those whom they attack. I suggest instead that a central part of the harm of hate speech is that it assaults our self-respect. The reasons to respect oneself are moral reasons which can be shared with others, and individuals have moral reasons to respect themselves for their agency, and their entitlements. Free speech is interpreted not as an individual liberty, but as a collective enterprise which serves the interests of speakers and the receivers of speech. I argue that hate speech undermines the self-respect of its targets in both the agency and entitlement dimensions, and claim, moreover, that this is a direct harm which cannot be compensated for by other sources of self-respect. I further argue that hate speakers have no basis to respect themselves qua their hate speech, as self-respect is based on moral reasons. I conclude that self-respect, unlike dignity, is sufficient to explain the harm of hate speech, even though it may not be necessary to explain its wrongness.

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Brown notes that a number of states have laws against the public expression of hate-fuelled attitudes, manifest in derogatory language used to describe certain minority groups (Brown 2015 , pp.23–26).

For a different approach to dignity and hate speech, see Heyman ( 2008 , esp. Ch. 10).

Corey Brettschneider ( 2012 ) argues that hate speech should be permitted but that the state should encourage vigorous counter-speech which re-asserts liberal democratic values. The implication of his argument for ‘value democracy’ is that it hate speech’s victims have their civic status secure.

Compare the somewhat similar perspective in Rostbøll ( 2011 ), albeit one that emphasises deliberative democracy.

Onora O’Neill briefly articulates a similar view in her discussion of public reason. ‘Expression is parasitic on communication, and all successful communication requires some sort of recognition or uptake by the other’ (O’Neill 1989 , p.31).

Specifying the contours of this duty is not easy because we plausibly have some right not to listen to or read others. Yet imagine a person who is comprehensively shunned by everyone in society; everything she says is utterly ignored. It’s also plausible to think that, by violating the minimal consideration requirement, the rest of us are failing to meet a duty we owe her (cf. West 2012 , p.231).

For helpful comments on this article, I am grateful to Corrado del Bò, Matteo Bonotti, Alex Brown and Caleb Yong, as well as two anonymous reviewers for this Journal.

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Seglow, J. Hate Speech, Dignity and Self-Respect. Ethic Theory Moral Prac 19 , 1103–1116 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-016-9744-3

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Accepted : 01 July 2016

Published : 10 July 2016

Issue Date : November 2016

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-016-9744-3

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On Self-Respect: Joan Didion’s 1961 Essay from the Pages of Vogue

By Joan Didion

Joan Didion , author, journalist, and style icon, died today after a prolonged illness. She was 87 years old. Here, in its original layout, is Didion’s seminal essay “Self-respect: Its Source, Its Power,” which was first published in Vogue in 1961, and which was republished as “On Self-Respect” in the author’s 1968 collection, Slouching Towards Bethlehem.​ Didion wrote the essay as the magazine was going to press, to fill the space left after another writer did not produce a piece on the same subject. She wrote it not to a word count or a line count, but to an exact character count.

Once, in a dry season, I wrote in large letters across two pages of a notebook that innocence ends when one is stripped of the delusion that one likes oneself. Although now, some years later, I marvel that a mind on the outs with itself should have nonetheless made painstaking record of its every tremor, I recall with embarrassing clarity the flavor of those particular ashes. It was a matter of misplaced self-respect.

I had not been elected to Phi Beta Kappa. This failure could scarcely have been more predictable or less ambiguous (I simply did not have the grades), but I was unnerved by it; I had somehow thought myself a kind of academic Raskolnikov, curiously exempt from the cause-effect relationships that hampered others. Although the situation must have had even then the approximate tragic stature of Scott Fitzgerald's failure to become president of the Princeton Triangle Club, the day that I did not make Phi Beta Kappa nevertheless marked the end of something, and innocence may well be the word for it. I lost the conviction that lights would always turn green for me, the pleasant certainty that those rather passive virtues which had won me approval as a child automatically guaranteed me not only Phi Beta Kappa keys but happiness, honour, and the love of a good man (preferably a cross between Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca and one of the Murchisons in a proxy fight); lost a certain touching faith in the totem power of good manners, clean hair, and proven competence on the Stanford-Binet scale. To such doubtful amulets had my self-respect been pinned, and I faced myself that day with the nonplussed wonder of someone who has come across a vampire and found no garlands of garlic at hand.

Although to be driven back upon oneself is an uneasy affair at best, rather like trying to cross a border with borrowed credentials, it seems to me now the one condition necessary to the beginnings of real self-respect. Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception remains the most difficult deception. The charms that work on others count for nothing in that devastatingly well-lit back alley where one keeps assignations with oneself: no winning smiles will do here, no prettily drawn lists of good intentions. With the desperate agility of a crooked faro dealer who spots Bat Masterson about to cut himself into the game, one shuffles flashily but in vain through one's marked cards—the kindness done for the wrong reason, the apparent triumph which had involved no real effort, the seemingly heroic act into which one had been shamed. The dismal fact is that self-respect has nothing to do with the approval of others—who are, after all, deceived easily enough; has nothing to do with reputation—which, as Rhett Butler told Scarlett O'Hara, is something that people with courage can do without.

To do without self-respect, on the other hand, is to be an unwilling audience of one to an interminable home movie that documents one's failings, both real and imagined, with fresh footage spliced in for each screening. There’s the glass you broke in anger, there's the hurt on X's face; watch now, this next scene, the night Y came back from Houston, see how you muff this one. To live without self-respect is to lie awake some night, beyond the reach of warm milk, phenobarbital, and the sleeping hand on the coverlet, counting up the sins of commission and omission, the trusts betrayed, the promises subtly broken, the gifts irrevocably wasted through sloth or cowardice or carelessness. However long we postpone it, we eventually lie down alone in that notoriously un- comfortable bed, the one we make ourselves. Whether or not we sleep in it depends, of course, on whether or not we respect ourselves.

Joan Didion

To protest that some fairly improbable people, some people who could not possibly respect themselves, seem to sleep easily enough is to miss the point entirely, as surely as those people miss it who think that self-respect has necessarily to do with not having safety pins in one's underwear. There is a common superstition that "self-respect" is a kind of charm against snakes, something that keeps those who have it locked in some unblighted Eden, out of strange beds, ambivalent conversations, and trouble in general. It does not at all. It has nothing to do with the face of things, but concerns instead a separate peace, a private reconciliation. Although the careless, suicidal Julian English in Appointment in Samarra and the careless, incurably dishonest Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby seem equally improbable candidates for self-respect, Jordan Baker had it, Julian English did not. With that genius for accommodation more often seen in women than in men, Jordan took her own measure, made her own peace, avoided threats to that peace: "I hate careless people," she told Nick Carraway. "It takes two to make an accident."

By Margaux Anbouba

By Hannah Coates

By Amel Mukhtar

Like Jordan Baker, people with self-respect have the courage of their mistakes. They know the price of things. If they choose to commit adultery, they do not then go running, in an access of bad conscience, to receive absolution from the wronged parties; nor do they complain unduly of the unfairness, the undeserved embarrassment, of being named corespondent. If they choose to forego their work—say it is screenwriting—in favor of sitting around the Algonquin bar, they do not then wonder bitterly why the Hacketts, and not they, did Anne Frank.

In brief, people with self-respect exhibit a certain toughness, a kind of moral nerve; they display what was once called character, a quality which, although approved in the abstract, sometimes loses ground to other, more instantly negotiable virtues. The measure of its slipping prestige is that one tends to think of it only in connection with homely children and with United States senators who have been defeated, preferably in the primary, for re-election. Nonetheless, character—the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life—is the source from which self-respect springs.

Self-respect is something that our grandparents, whether or not they had it, knew all about. They had instilled in them, young, a certain discipline, the sense that one lives by doing things one does not particularly want to do, by putting fears and doubts to one side, by weighing immediate comforts against the possibility of larger, even intangible, comforts. It seemed to the nineteenth century admirable, but not remarkable, that Chinese Gordon put on a clean white suit and held Khartoum against the Mahdi; it did not seem unjust that the way to free land in California involved death and difficulty and dirt. In a diary kept during the winter of 1846, an emigrating twelve-year-old named Narcissa Cornwall noted coolly: "Father was busy reading and did not notice that the house was being filled with strange Indians until Mother spoke about it." Even lacking any clue as to what Mother said, one can scarcely fail to be impressed by the entire incident: the father reading, the Indians filing in, the mother choosing the words that would not alarm, the child duly recording the event and noting further that those particular Indians were not, "fortunately for us," hostile. Indians were simply part of the donnée.

In one guise or another, Indians always are. Again, it is a question of recognizing that anything worth having has its price. People who respect themselves are willing to accept the risk that the Indians will be hostile, that the venture will go bankrupt, that the liaison may not turn out to be one in which every day is a holiday because you’re married to me. They are willing to invest something of themselves; they may not play at all, but when they do play, they know the odds.

That kind of self-respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can never be faked but can be developed, trained, coaxed forth. It was once suggested to me that, as an antidote to crying, I put my head in a paper bag. As it happens, there is a sound physiological reason, something to do with oxygen, for doing exactly that, but the psychological effect alone is incalculable: it is difficult in the extreme to continue fancying oneself Cathy in Wuthering Heights with one's head in a Food Fair bag. There is a similar case for all the small disciplines, unimportant in themselves; imagine maintaining any kind of swoon, commiserative or carnal, in a cold shower.

But those small disciplines are valuable only insofar as they represent larger ones. To say that Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton is not to say that Napoleon might have been saved by a crash program in cricket; to give formal dinners in the rain forest would be pointless did not the candlelight flickering on the liana call forth deeper, stronger disciplines, values instilled long before. It is a kind of ritual, helping us to remember who and what we are. In order to remember it, one must have known it.

To have that sense of one's intrinsic worth which, for better or for worse, constitutes self-respect, is potentially to have everything: the ability to discriminate, to love and to remain indifferent. To lack it is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically incapable of either love or indifference. If we do not respect ourselves, we are on the one hand forced to despise those who have so few resources as to consort with us, so little perception as to remain blind to our fatal weaknesses. On the other, we are peculiarly in thrall to everyone we see, curiously determined to live out—since our self-image is untenable—their false notions of us. We flatter ourselves by thinking this compulsion to please others an attractive trait: a gift for imaginative empathy, evidence of our willingness to give. Of course we will play Francesca to Paolo, Brett Ashley to Jake, Helen Keller to anyone's Annie Sullivan: no expectation is too misplaced, no rôle too ludicrous. At the mercy of those we can not but hold in contempt, we play rôles doomed to failure before they are begun, each defeat generating fresh despair at the necessity of divining and meeting the next demand made upon us.

It is the phenomenon sometimes called alienation from self. In its advanced stages, we no longer answer the telephone, because someone might want something; that we could say no without drowning in self-reproach is an idea alien to this game. Every encounter demands too much, tears the nerves, drains the will, and the spectre of something as small as an unanswered letter arouses such disproportionate guilt that one's sanity becomes an object of speculation among one's acquaintances. To assign unanswered letters their proper weight, to free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves—there lies the great, the singular power of self-respect. Without it, one eventually discovers the final turn of the screw: one runs away to find oneself, and finds no one at home.

Essay on Respect

Students are often asked to write an essay on Respect in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Respect

Understanding respect.

Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone due to their abilities, qualities, or achievements. It’s not just about being nice to others, but also about recognizing their worth and giving them space to express themselves.

Why is Respect Important?

Respect is important because it helps us understand each other better. It promotes peace and harmony in our society. When we respect others, we show that we value their opinions and feelings.

Ways to Show Respect

We can show respect by listening to others, not interrupting when they’re speaking, and treating them with kindness and fairness. It’s important to remember that respect should be mutual.

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250 Words Essay on Respect

Introduction.

Respect is a fundamental virtue, a cornerstone of human interaction and social cohesion. It is an intangible concept, yet it holds immense power, shaping our relationships and our perception of the world.

The Essence of Respect

Respect transcends mere tolerance; it signifies a deep admiration for someone due to their abilities, qualities, or achievements. It is acknowledging the worth and dignity of all people, regardless of their status, race, religion, or ideology. Respect is also about understanding boundaries and acknowledging the autonomy of others, valuing their rights to their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Respect as a Two-Way Street

Respect is reciprocal. It is not merely an act of deference, but a mutual exchange. It is a two-way street, requiring both giving and receiving. It nurtures trust, promoting open dialogue and collaboration. Without respect, our interactions become a breeding ground for conflict, misunderstanding, and resentment.

Self-Respect: The Foundation

Self-respect, the recognition of one’s own worth, is the foundation of respect for others. It is about maintaining our dignity, adhering to our values, and not compromising our self-worth for external validation. Self-respect guides us in treating others with the same dignity and consideration we demand for ourselves.

In an increasingly polarized world, respect is more critical than ever. It bridges gaps, fosters understanding, and promotes peaceful coexistence. Respect is not just a virtue but a responsibility, a commitment to uphold the dignity and worth of all individuals. It is a testament to our shared humanity and our capacity for compassion and understanding.

500 Words Essay on Respect

Introduction: the concept of respect.

Respect, a term often associated with morality and ethics, is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and society. It is a multifaceted concept, encompassing attitudes, behaviors, and actions that recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. Respect is not merely an act of deference or politeness, but a profound recognition of shared humanity and individuality.

Respect as a Universal Value

Respect transcends cultural, religious, and social boundaries, making it a universal value. It is a cornerstone of many ethical systems and moral codes worldwide. From Confucianism’s emphasis on “li” (propriety) and “ren” (humaneness) to the Golden Rule’s “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” respect is a common thread. It is a fundamental principle that guides interpersonal relationships, fostering harmony, and mutual understanding.

The Dimensions of Respect

Respect has several dimensions, each contributing to its overall significance. Firstly, there is self-respect, which involves recognizing one’s own worth and maintaining personal dignity. It is a prerequisite for respecting others, as it is challenging to acknowledge the value of others without first appreciating one’s own.

Secondly, respect for others, which is often the most emphasized aspect, involves recognizing and appreciating the inherent worth of other individuals. This respect is not contingent on their actions, achievements, or status but is accorded simply because they are human beings.

Finally, there is respect for the environment and the world at large. This dimension extends the concept of respect beyond human interactions, emphasizing our responsibility towards the world we inhabit.

Respect in the Modern World

In today’s interconnected world, respect is more critical than ever. As we encounter diverse cultures, perspectives, and ways of life, respect serves as a bridge, fostering understanding and cooperation. It promotes tolerance, encourages dialogue, and helps to mitigate conflicts.

However, respect is not always easy. It requires us to challenge our prejudices, to listen even when we disagree, and to value people for who they are, not what they can do for us. It is a commitment to the fundamental principle that every individual matters.

Conclusion: The Power of Respect

Respect is more than a moral obligation; it is a powerful force for positive change. It fosters empathy, promotes social cohesion, and lays the groundwork for a more just and equitable society. By cultivating respect, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a better, more harmonious world.

In conclusion, respect is a fundamental value that underpins our interactions and relationships. It is a universal principle that transcends boundaries, a multifaceted concept that encompasses self, others, and the world, and a critical tool for navigating our diverse, interconnected world. Through respect, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals, fostering a society that is more understanding, compassionate, and just.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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