The desire for dignity is universal and powerful. It is a motivating force behin
d all human interaction - in families, in communities, in the business world, an
d in relationships at the international level. When dignity is violated, the res
ponse is likely to involve aggression, even violence, hatred, and vengeance. On
the other hand, when people treat one another with dignity, they become more con
nected and are able to create more meaningful relationships. Surprisingly, most
people have little understanding of dignity, observes Donna Hicks in this import
ant book. She examines the reasons for this gap and offers a new set of strategi
es for becoming aware of dignity's vital role in our lives and learning to put d
ignity into practice in everyday life.
