The concept of dignity as a heteronomous element: theoretical polemic between relativism and essentialism

Abstract

After the lessons left by the great military conflicts at the end of the 20th century, respect for thehuman rights became a central element of the Theory of Law. However, it is considered the need to analyze to what extent the current discourse becomes essentialist and even dogmatic. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of respect for the Dignity of the Human Being on a real,dialogical and specific level. To support this purpose, the metalanguage provided by philosophythrough Ontology and Ethics is used to elaborate an approach that allows a valid mediation between the essentialist and relativist theses.