The Shadow-gloom and Weight of the Sacred

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Of the three axes of moral intuition, Taylor spends the least amount of time discussing the third axis--the range of notions concerning dignity. Perhaps this is because it needs little explication in order for us to understand its importance to modern identity? In fact, it may be superlative to write about it beyond than what I did a few posts ago, but I think I will go ahead and dedicate a post exclusively to this third axis to round out the discussion.

Our style of movement expresses how we see ourselves as enjoying respect or lacking it, as commanding it or failing to do so. Some people flit through public space as though avoiding it, others rush through as though hoping to sidestep the issue of how they appear in it by the very serious purpose with which they transit through it; others again saunter through with assurance, savouring [sic] their moments within it... (15).

Click for Larger ImageDignity is certainly not insignificant for our moral intuitions and how we are viewed in the eyes of others affects how we view ourselves. Dignity, as defined by Taylor, is the characteristics by which we think of ourselves as commanding (or failing to command) the respect of those around us (15). (See the picture to the left for Taylor's two categories of "respect".)

Notions of dignity interweave with the affirmation of the ordinary life. How one thinks of his or her self as father/mother, husband/wife, provider, employed or employable et al., form the base of one's sense of identity. The absence of such things can undermine one's feelings of self-worth.


Click for Larger ImageYou may recall that "affirmation of the ordinary life" is one of three aspects of the modern understanding of respect. That is, humans are beings worthy of respect because, along with possessing autonomy and prioritizing the avoidance of suffering (see chart to the right), they pursue and affirm the "ordinary life".

Taylor states that the dignity gained from "ordinary life" is attitudinal respect. I don't know if it matters one way or the other, but autonomy and the avoidance of suffering seem to be active respect, categorically speaking. Perhaps, affirmation of the ordinary life is categorically active respect while the sense of dignity rendered from the ordinary life is attitudinal respect? I need to think on this.