Published: 2017-12-31

Human dignity in the hierarchy of the fundamental values of Polish society in the consciousness of high school youth and academic youth. A sociological study

Józef Baniak

Abstract

In this article, I present the result of my sociological research, which shows the attitudes and assessments, as components of consciousness, of high school students and university students as to the place of human dignity in the hierarchy of basic values recognized and implemented, and of the values postulated by young people for acceptance and implementation in Polish society. The respondents include human dignity within basic values. I carried out these studies in 2011 among 456 high school students in Kalisz and among 426 university students in Poznan. The total number of the respondents was 508 women and 374 men. The research shows that today’s Polish youth in the predominant majority (80%) perceives human dignity as a basic value which is necessary in the personal and social life of people. At the same time, the youths in the study know that human dignity is not a permanent value in the life of every human being, because it is constantly threatened by various obstacles that underestimate its meaning or cause its disappearance. The respondents also point out that some Poles do not perceive basic values in human dignity, they neglect its role and significance in their individual and of the social lives. The respondents want human dignity to regain its rightful place in the hierarchy of the basic and solemn values, recognized and implemented in the Polish society. Dignity guarantees people personal freedom, self-esteem and security, correct relationships with other people and social groups, gives meaning and purpose to their lives. Individuals, caring for their own dignity, should also accept and respect the personal dignity of every human being.

Keywords:

human dignity, hierarchy of values, basic and solemn values, values recognized and implemented, postulated values, high school youth, university students, Polish society

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Baniak, J. (2017). Human dignity in the hierarchy of the fundamental values of Polish society in the consciousness of high school youth and academic youth. A sociological study. Academic Journal of Sociology, 21(4). Retrieved from https://czasopisma.uksw.edu.pl/index.php/ucs/article/view/3338

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