A Theological Evaluation of the South African Constitutional Value of Human Dignity

Abstract

AbstractOne of the key objectives of the South African constitution is to create a sovereign democratic state founded upon human dignity. The South African Constitutional Court relies mainly on the classical, liberal view of human dignity to give judicial content to the constitutional value of human dignity. This article compares the South African constitutional concept of human dignity with a Reformed-Christian perspective. It identifies shortcomings in the South African constitutional understanding of human dignity, and indicates how a Christian perspective on human dignity offers a more philosophical and judical substance to human dignity.