Derramas, May Anne D.

2019400361
Seminar 3 – 2C

On Human Dignity Assignment

1. What challenges and realities present in the world today pose the most serious threat to
human dignity?
Pope John Paul writes in The Gospel of Life, "Where life is involved, the service of
charity must be profoundly consistent. It cannot tolerate bias and discrimination, for
human life is sacred and inviolable at every stage and in every situation; it is an
indivisible good. We need then to show care for all life and for the life of everyone."
(Evangelium Vitae #87, John Paul II,1995)

According to St. John Paul II, today’s major threats to human life can be divided into
three main categories. The first kind is against life itself, as realized in murder or
abortion. The second type of threat is an attack on the integrity of the person, just like in
torture or manipulation. Lastly, is an attack against human dignity, as seen in poor
working conditions, prostitution, slavery, etc. 

Catholics, and all individuals by their regular humankind, are called to be worried about
fetus removal and euthanasia, medical care, the death penalty and felonies, war and
hunger, and a lot lengthier rundown of issues affecting the respect of human existence.
Truth be told, we are called to see the individual before we see the issue. For instance,
one considers killing to be an answer for the issues of society, that view promotes the
death penalty just as abortion, in case of battling the increasing population. In the event
that one holds that an individual's worth relies upon their efficiency, that can also mean
something bad for terminally ill patients as well as immigrants.

It cannot be forgotten, however, that the most fundamental of all rights is the
right to life. And any oppression against the right itself is a serious threat to human
dignity – whatever form it may come in.

2. How can I uphold the rights of the poor?

Basic liberties are inalienable in all individuals. Everybody has the right to live in
dignity and to participate completely in the society. Poverty denies individuals these
rights. In particular, poverty influences economic and social rights – those rights that
identify with the work environment, social security, and admittance to housing, food,
water, medical care and schooling. When, as a general public, we permit poverty to
persevere, we neglect to secure these essential common freedoms.
To uphold the rights of the poor, the following must concur: (1) Participation:
enabling people to realise their rights to participate in, and access information relating
to, the decision-making processes which affect their lives; (2) Inclusion: building socially
inclusive societies, based on the values of equality and non-discrimination, through
development which promotes all human rights for all people; and (3) Fulfilling
obligation: strengthening institutions and policies which ensure that obligations to
protect and promote the realization of all human rights are fulfilled by states and other
duty bearers.

In order to make these ideologies more concrete, we could promote and

advocate for universal primary education, empowerment of women by eliminating
gender disparity in workplace and strengthening healthcare systems for the reduction of
mortality rate to name a few.