The principle of human dignity has greatly influenced the Western moral tradition. It has
however during the last few decades been questioned by a number of moral philosophers many of
them involved in applied ethics. The aim of this study is to examine different religious and
philosophical views on whether human life is special and if it is in what respects. The book
is divided into three main sections. The first section includes an examination of some
important religious contributions from the past and the present. In the next section the views
of modern philosophers criticising the principle and of those defending it are examined.
Finally the meaning and relevance of the principle when applied to certain moral problems in
the modern world are discussed. With reference to the discussion on priorities in health care
it is argued that although the principle has a religious origin it may function as a universal
moral principle in a modern pluralistic and secularised society.
