Dignity, equality and supremacy – A trilogy

How modern day democracies have not been able to fully deliver on dignity, equality of an individual is a discussion for another day

“Human dignity is the same for all human beings, when I trample on the dignity of another, I am trampling on my own,” says Pope Francis. The dignity of others may manifest to onlookers and observers through attitude, gratitude, or even platitude. This manifestation can take the forms of exuding an aura of confidence, a sense of being in control, making a statement that who one is or still make-believe others, who one is actually not, yet it runs the risk of being trampled. But how come one’s own dignity for which one craves and is heartfelt too, gets entrenched and hibernates somewhere to remain safe from being trampled. An inherent dichotomy between inner self and the outside, the society.

It all starts from the inner self, overwhelms the immediate area of influence and transcends to the society. This explanation may seem to be understandable, but for sure is over simplistic and of course a rudimentary effort on part of a student of philosophy like me. So let us get back to the maestros of it and recap what Plato had to say or imply, regarding the inner self, which longs and yearns for dignity. In his acclaimed book “The Republic” he mentions this phenomenon as “Thymos”-the driving emotions, the desire of human soul orbiting the recognition of dignity. Other ancient Greek philosophers have likened it to the spirit imparting “character” to the people or providing a “seat to life”.

Across the barrier of the inner self runs the road to “society”. The desire to be recognized, having passed through its e-tag lane, uninterrupted, sticks out its neck in the open. In order to carve out a niche for itself, it starts conforming to the prevalent norms, aka “dos” and don’ts”, without much ado. It tends to be humble and magnanimous initially -the desire for recognition, that is. As acceptance of it begins to grow, it begins to levitate itself, just like a young boy trying to stretch out to match his father’s height. It is then only when it starts transforming to a quest for equality. On the brick of recognition of dignity, the basis for the structure of equality are laid.

The matrix of equality idealistically should provide for treating me as an equal in strengths, an equal in weaknesses, an equal for availing opportunities and an equal when exposed to challenges or threats. Given the human psyche it gets toggled seamlessly. Not only seamlessly but convenient to justify, too. And it states, “treat me as equal when I am strong, an unequal when weak, treat me as an equal when opportunities arise and treat me as unequal when challenges are thrown at. Equal; when it suits me the most, as I have got the strengths to grasps the opportunities with both hands and unequal when I am weak to take on the challenges thrown at me; lend me a hand”.

As the structure of equality starts taking shape, it never gets completed or finished. Once strong and seasoned, it starts laying claims on the areas left and right, making an ingress at places, sneaking in spaces. Spaces of freedom of expression and choice, to start up with and ultimately standing tall as a bully demanding acceptance of its dominance over others. This is the point at which quest for equality gets transformed into a war cry of supremacy. A “Haka” in cause – a preparation to be at war, in effect. This will to be recognized as a superior can also stem from one’s ability to lead, lead through thick and thin.

Leadership quality although is an important facet of supremacy but it had trod such a beaten track, that now it seems as if everyone who is anyone or even no one, feels qualified to lecture on leadership, therefore the same is not intended here and hence a passing reference. But for sure be it be heads or tails, both are the sides of the same coin – the currency in vogue for supremacy. How modern day democracies have not been able to fully deliver on dignity and equality of an individual is a discussion for another day. For now, it suffices to state that working democracies, thirty-five in 1970s, rose to be one hundred and fifteen in late 1990s, had slid down to nineties again at the end of two decades of this century.

Knotting into equality and ultimately fusing into a hemline of supremacy this interwoven fabric of dignity is not only worn by individuals but adorned by societies and nations too. It is not only individuals who get frustrated when their potential is not recognized or when they feel they have not lived up to their true potential, but nations also lament the same, to the extent of self-immolating at times. Nations when united can form up the United Nations organisation but still, or for good, remain disunited on equality. The aged old philosophy here takes a back seat and economy sits in the driving one. After all size does matter in this case too and probably infuses a sense of supremacy, which creeps in at the national level, intimidating other nations. Resultantly, those who just yield when threatened, are considered good, those who raise a voice of dissent, are labelled bad and who react with force, are branded ugly. One trilogy bearing yet another, the good, the bad, the ugly. For the sake of own dignity, trampling that of others.