Perceived Dignity of Persons with Minimal Voluntary Control over Their Own Behaviors

Abstract

This study tested the 1971 contention of Skinner that dignity, or worth, must in the view of society be earned by voluntarily performing prosocial acts. Because scientific progress erodes the concept of voluntarism, in Skinner's view people oppose his scientific formulations to protect the concept of dignity. The main hypothesis of the present study was that persons accord intrinsic dignity to others which does not have to be earned through voluntary praiseworthy behaviors. As predicted, college students and adult members of the community indicated on questionnaires that they would accord dignity to newborn infants who could not have earned it and also that dignity is augmented or decreased by voluntary praiseworthy or blameworthy behaviors, respectively. This popular belief in intrinsic dignity, as part of human nature, supports a more humanistic approach toward any plan for improving the culture.