Human Dignity and Bioethics

314 | Leon R. Kass
our loves and longings. What we need is a defense of the dignity of
what Tolstoy called “real life,” life as ordinarily lived, everyday life in
its concreteness. Our theories about human dignity need to catch up
with its widespread, not to say ubiquitous, existence.
As we learn from everyday life, the dignity of being human is perfectly
at home in ordinary life, and I would add, in democratic times.
Courage, moderation, generosity, righteousness, and the other human
virtues are not solely confined to the few. Many of us strive for them,
with partial success, and still more of us do ourselves honor when we
recognize and admire those people nobler and finer than ourselves.
We frequently give our wayward neighbors the benefit of the doubt,
and we strongly believe in the possibility of a second chance. No
one ever knows for sure when a person hitherto seemingly weak of
character will rise to the occasion, actualizing an ever-present potential
for worthy conduct. No one knows when, as in the case of the
ex-slaves of the First of Arkansas, human dignity will summon itself
and shine forth brightly. With suitable models, proper rearing, and
adequate encouragement—or even just the fitting occasion—many
of us can be and act more in accord with our higher natures.
In truth, if we know how to look we find evidence of human
dignity all around us, in the valiant efforts ordinary people make to
meet necessity, to combat adversity and disappointment, to provide
for their children, to care for their parents, to help their neighbors,
to serve their country. Life provides numerous hard occasions that
call for endurance and equanimity, generosity and kindness, courage
and self-command. Adversity sometimes brings out the best in
a man, and often shows best what he is made of. As the example of
Tolstoy’s Ivan Illich shows, even confronting our own death provides
an opportunity for the exercise of admirable humanity, for the small
and great alike.
Beyond the dignity of virtue and the dignity of endurance, there
is also the simple but deep dignity of human activity—sewing a dress,
throwing a pot, building a fire, cooking a meal, dressing a wound,
singing a song, or offering a blessing made in gratitude. There is the
simple but deep dignity of intimate human relations—bathing a
child, receiving a guest, embracing a friend, kissing one’s bride, consoling
the bereaved, dancing a dance, or raising a glass in gladness.
And there is the simple but deep dignity of certain ennobling human