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Betraying Dignity

The Toxic Seduction of Social Media, Shaming, and Radicalization

Orit Kamir

What do medieval knights, suicide bombers and "victimhood culture" have in common? Betraying Dignity argues that in the second decade of the twenty-first century, individuals, political parties and nations around the world are abandoning the dignity-based culture we established in the aftermath of two world wars, less than a century ago. Disappointed or intimidated, many turn their backs on the humanitarian, universalistic culture that presumes our inherent human dignity and celebrates it as the basis of every individual's equal human rights. Instead, people and nations are returning to a much older, honor-based cultural structure. Because its ancient logic and mentality take new forms (such as social network shaming and certain aspects of "victimhood culture") -- we fail to recognize them, and overlook the pitfalls of the old honor-based structure. Narrating the history of honor-based societies, this book distinguishes their underlying principle from the post-WWII notion of dignity that underlies human rights. It makes the case that in order to revive and strengthen dignity-based culture, the concept of human dignity must be defined narrowly and succinctly, and enhanced with the principle of respect. Continuing its historical and cultural narrative, the book discusses contemporary phenomena such as al-Qaeda terrorists, shaming via social network, FoMO, and some features of the emerging "victimhood culture". The book pays homage to Erich Fromm's classic Escape from Freedom.

University Press Copublishing Division / Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

Pages: 206 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-68393-203-1 • Hardback • October 2019 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-68393-205-5 • Paperback • April 2023 • $39.99 • (£30.00)

978-1-68393-204-8 • eBook • October 2019 • $38.00 • (£30.00)

Series: The Fairleigh Dickinson University Press Series in Law, Culture, and the Humanities

Subjects: Political Science / Human Rights, Political Science / Terrorism, Social Science / Violence in Society, Political Science / Political Ideologies / Radicalism, Political Science / World / Middle Eastern

Betraying Dignity

The Toxic Seduction of Social Media, Shaming, and Radicalization

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

What do medieval knights, suicide bombers and "victimhood culture" have in common? Betraying Dignity argues that in the second decade of the twenty-first century, individuals, political parties and nations around the world are abandoning the dignity-based culture we established in the aftermath of two world wars, less than a century ago. Disappointed or intimidated, many turn their backs on the humanitarian, universalistic culture that presumes our inherent human dignity and celebrates it as the basis of every individual's equal human rights. Instead, people and nations are returning to a much older, honor-based cultural structure. Because its ancient logic and mentality take new forms (such as social network shaming and certain aspects of "victimhood culture") -- we fail to recognize them, and overlook the pitfalls of the old honor-based structure. Narrating the history of honor-based societies, this book distinguishes their underlying principle from the post-WWII notion of dignity that underlies human rights. It makes the case that in order to revive and strengthen dignity-based culture, the concept of human dignity must be defined narrowly and succinctly, and enhanced with the principle of respect. Continuing its historical and cultural narrative, the book discusses contemporary phenomena such as al-Qaeda terrorists, shaming via social network, FoMO, and some features of the emerging "victimhood culture". The book pays homage to Erich Fromm's classic Escape from Freedom.

Details

University Press Copublishing Division / Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

Pages: 206 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-68393-203-1 • Hardback • October 2019 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-68393-205-5 • Paperback • April 2023 • $39.99 • (£30.00)

978-1-68393-204-8 • eBook • October 2019 • $38.00 • (£30.00)

Series: The Fairleigh Dickinson University Press Series in Law, Culture, and the Humanities

Subjects: Political Science / Human Rights, Political Science / Terrorism, Social Science / Violence in Society, Political Science / Political Ideologies / Radicalism, Political Science / World / Middle Eastern

Author

Orit Kamir is founder and academic head of the Center for Human Dignity in Israel, and has taught law and culture studies at universities in Israel, the United States, and Europe.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Why Worry about Dignity, Honor, and Values

OneEscape from Dignity to Honor: An Overview

TwoThe Honor Game

ThreeDivine Human Glory: In the Image of God

FourThe Concept of Dignity That Underlies Human Rights

FiveRespect: The Value of Our Singularity

SixEscape from Dignity and Respect

Bibliography

About the Author

Index

About the Author

Betraying Dignity

The Toxic Seduction of Social Media, Shaming, and Radicalization

Orit Kamir

Betraying Dignity

The Toxic Seduction of Social Media, Shaming, and Radicalization

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