ABSTRACT
Webster defines dignity in terms of the individual's state of being worthy, honourable, noble, and of his manifestation of concomitant characteristics; and in terms of his rank and station in the social hierarchy and the degree of estimation in which he is held by others. Dignity depends on a balanced use of all these powers. Balance does not mean remaining constantly in a state of rigid moderation, but rather the ability to return to a state of equilibrium after a movement in any direction–a controlled giving up of control. Dignity has many faces, and it changes with time. The dignity of the young exploring child is different from that of the questioning adolescent, or from that of assured maturity, or from the wisdom of old age. And the dignity of the woman is different from that of the man. Dignity then does not depend only on the qualities of the person himself. Anyone can be robbed of dignity.
