Purpose and Background of the Research

After WWII, the concept of dignity was adopted as one possible answer to the unprecedented catastrophe brought about by totalitarianism. Since, it has been incorporated in numerous foundational treaties and constitutional agreements, from the Charter of the United Nations and the Japanese Constitution to the EU Constitution and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Moreover, the social acceptance of medical and other advanced technologies (e.g. ES and iPS cell research, AI etc.), as well as various pressing social issues, such as the refugee crisis and social polarization, are directly or indirectly linked to the problem of dignity (and the violation of dignity).
Thus, the normative concept of dignity has become one of the keywords of the present age.

Through an exhaustive analysis, the project will aim at proposing a universally valid concept of dignity which can accommodate diversity and at the same time serve as a global standard for the advancement of democratization and social pluralization.

Research Methods

An international research group divided into six sub-groups will be formed to study the concept within the Western, Japanese, Chinese and Korean, Islamic, Buddhist and Indian traditions.
Research will be guided by (1) a value-theoretical approach, it will (2) thoroughly reexamine the Western concept of dignity, (3) uncover the understanding of dignity within non-Western societies, and establish a comprehensive history of the concept, and ultimately (4) formulate a new understanding of dignity by contrasting, comparing and integrating Western and non-Western discourses.

Expected Research Achievements and Scientific Significance

By including non-Western perspectives, the project promises a paradigm shift in the research on dignity, prompting a theoretical revision of the hitherto prevailing Western anthropocentric research.
At the same time, it also promises to give answers to various contemporary social problems.
The research results will be published and made available to the public in the form of a collection of articles.

Publications Relevant to the Project

・Kato Yasushi, Kojima, Schönrich, Waldron et al. (2017) Songen gainen no akuchuariti (The Actuality of Dignity), special issue of the journal Shisô (No. 1114), Iwanami, 184pp.
・Kato Yasushi, Usami, Birnbacher, Quante et al. (2017) Songen no dainamizumu (The Dynamism of Dignity), Hosei University Press, 436pp.

Budget Allocation

130,500 Thousand Yen