The challenges of research in the field of human dignity

Seyed Abdosaleh  Jafari; Behin  Araminia; Hanieh  Tavasoli; Nafiseh  Tavasoli; Soheil  Abedi; Ahmad Fayaz  Bakhshe

doi:10.18502/jmehm.v17i4.17103

Seyed Abdosaleh Jafari Researcher, University of Religions and Denominations, Research Center for Religions and Denominations; Researcher, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Behin Araminia Researcher, Mental Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hanieh Tavasoli Resident of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Nafiseh Tavasoli Researcher, Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute, Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Soheil Abedi PhD Candidate in Medical Ethics, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ahmad Fayaz Bakhshe Researcher, Sina Trauma & Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmehm.v17i4.17103

Keywords: Human dignity; Respect; Personhood; Human rights; Qualitative research; Bioethics.

Abstract

Research on human dignity is crucial for understanding the ethical foundations of human rights. Neglecting to address certain pitfalls in this area of research can lead to adverse effects, including the perpetuation of discrimination, the misrepresentation of dignity across different schools of thought, and the weakening of ethical standards in human rights discourse. The present study aims to identify such challenges by analytically examining outstanding research in this field. Our surveys have identified challenges and pitfalls that were categorized into two groups: challenges in the field of materials, and challenges in the field of methods. In terms of materials, researchers may fail to adequately consider the historical and cultural contexts that shape these views, while in terms of methods, they may overlook the diverse perspectives that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of dignity. Consequently, it is imperative for researchers to remain vigilant and avoid these pitfalls to ensure that their work upholds the true essence of human dignity and effectively advocates for the rights of all individuals, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.