The Science of Dignity

Measuring Personhood and Well-Being in the United States

Steven Hitlin author Matthew A Andersson author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:20th Sep '23

£54.00

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The Science of Dignity cover

This book provides original evidence arguing for dignity as an indicator of public health, by offering a scientific framework for measuring dignity and its social determinants. Hitlin and Andersson show that dignity can be efficiently measured by using simple survey items that ask individuals whether there is "dignity" in their life or in how they are treated by others. National survey data show that unhappiness, sadness, anger, and lower general health are far more common for those reporting undignified lives. These differences in reported dignity come from inequalities in social and economic resources and from experiences of disrespect, threat, or life stress. Social groups with less power generally report lower levels of dignity linked to these multifaceted resource and stress inequalities, which are examined throughout the book. Hitlin and Andersson show that dignity possesses universal value for health and well-being in America, providing a scientific basis for collective consensus and social inspiration.

This wide ranging and important book brings careful empirics to the crucial topic of dignity, including by showing its impact on health. The authors move our understanding of dignity to a whole new level, with a focus on the impact of resources on dignity, and more. I learned tons from them and so will you. * Michèle Lamont, Author of Seeing Others: How Recognition Works and How It Can Heal a Divided World *
Hitlin and Andersson's book is a tour de force exploration of dignity- what it is, how and why it varies in populations, and why it is so important for human well being and health. * Bruce Link, University of California *
The Science of Dignity: Measuring Personhood and Well-Being in the United States defines dignity as a public health concern. While editors Hitlin and Andersson offer no specific solutions, they propose a scientistic framework examining the relationship of resources as processes to dignity. Hitlin and Andersson observe that dignity maybe a birthright but, in practice, is socially fragile. They invite a social dialogue of processes to our shared realities of education, debt, and earning a living. * Choice *

  • Winner of Winner, Distinguished Book Award, American Sociological Association's Section on Altruism Morality and Social Solidarity.

ISBN: 9780197743867

Dimensions: 165mm x 236mm x 21mm

Weight: 458g

232 pages