ABSTRACT
The chapter begins with an inquiry into the concept of dignity. Dignity for Immanuel Kant is universal worth intrinsic to the rational being. It looks to affirmative respect in practice in situations involving the communication of authors, and women’s voices in prayer. The ground of dignity is autonomy, namely the capacity to self-legislate. In modern Israel, dignity plays a central role in the public sphere: in the culture, intellectual history and self-image of the State. Positive freedom poses a positive perspective on dignity upon the view of Kantian theory and Jewish thought. The evolving conception of autonomy of expression reflects Romantic roots as well. The autonomy of expression is presented as one of the foremost rationales of the US free speech and UK freedom of expression legal doctrines. Speech in communication is relational. Autonomy has been shown to necessarily involve relationships; so, too, expression in communication to others necessarily involves relationships. Freedom entails obligation, and dignity demands respect.
