We Are More Than What We Appear : The Transcendental Dignity of the Body

Description

This book gives voices to those who go through painful and pathetic experiences because of their body. So it speaks of and for human dignity from the perspective of the body. Our fundamental anthropological principle is that human beings are more than what they appear. And it is on this principle that our reflection is grounded. Our objective is to assert that human beings have a dignity that transcends race, gender, class, age, social status, ethnic group, nationality, continent, sexual orientation, and the physical or mental condition of their bodies. Such an inner dignity I call it transcendental dignity. And I will bring out the philosophical foundation (1st chapter) and the theological justification (chapter 2) of this notion of transcendental dignity, as well as its ethical and theological implications, analyzing the spheres of discrimination and injustice (third chapter). The fourth chapter provides an African contextualization, re-appropriating the issue of the body’s dignity and bringing out its socio-political implications, showing the relevance of such dignity.