Virtues
Respect
quick ideas about respect. What is a lack of respect? Examples. Does respecting mean being indifferent?
Español1. What is respect?
To respect someone is to treat them in accordance with their dignity. This inherent dignity requires from others a fitting conduct, so that deliberate acts of disrespect are an injustice, a failure to fulfill that duty. On the other hand, where respect reigns, a cordial and kind atmosphere prevails, proper to charity.
2. Examples of disrespect in social relations
- Slander and mockery lower a person's dignity, and this unjust treatment is a lack of respect.
- Workers and subordinates are human beings. Treating them like slaves is a lack of respect for their dignity as persons.
- In any society (family, classroom, company, city...) there must be authorities to direct it (parents, teachers, superiors, councillors...). This requires of children, students, and subordinates a disciplined and obedient manner. Acts of rebellion are a lack of respect toward society.
- Deliberate failures in courtesy (rudeness, slamming doors, etc.) are usually examples of disrespect, since the proper treatment between people should be different.
3. Other examples of disrespect
- Woman is a human person, and it is unjust to treat her as a sexual object. This injustice is among other things a lack of respect.
- Human love possesses great dignity that demands delicate treatment. Pornography is a lack of respect toward humanity.
- Animals and plants are at man's service but have in themselves some dignity as creatures. Man may use them, eat them, and enjoy them, but within a certain respect. On this see the article on ecology.
4. Which acts of disrespect are most serious?
The seriousness of a lack of respect depends on what is done and on the dignity that is being attacked. The worst are insults and mockery directed at God.
5. Does respecting mean being indifferent?
No. A great dogma of selfishness is to assert: "I respect others; let others respect me." This is a false respect, since it normally amounts to saying "their problems are not my concern." The fitting treatment due to the dignity of others is to take an interest in them (above all in their soul), since besides respecting one must love everyone, actively desiring their good.
6. Must everyone be respected equally?
Every person possesses dignity by the very fact of being a person. And so every human being deserves some respect — treatment fitting to their human dignity. This basic duty includes respecting their possessions, their life, their reputation, their privacy... However:
- Some persons deserve greater respect by reason of a superior dignity. For example, parents, the elderly, people in authority, etc. The way one treats companions is different from the way one treats parents and teachers. With the latter, the manner of speaking and listening must be more respectful.
- There are also persons who through inhuman conduct lose part of their dignity and deserve less respect. For example, criminals may be imprisoned. Respect is not opposed to justice.
7. Is correcting someone a lack of respect?
Respect does not mean letting others do whatever they please. There are things that must be forbidden, and matters that must be corrected. Both respect and correction rest on charity, which sometimes requires correction. Correcting too much or too little is not a lack of respect but of charity. A lack of respect is added if one corrects with bad manners.
8. Does respect remove trust and spontaneity?
- Mutual respect protects people's dignity, providing security and trust. Respect is different from fear.
- Spontaneity arises from habit, which originates a natural or personal way of behaving. If one has the habit of respecting others, respect will come spontaneously.
9. Is demanding respect a sign of pride?
Out of pride someone may think they possess a greater dignity than actually befits them. As a result, this somewhat touchy person will demand excessive treatment and respect. On the other hand, if the dignity is genuine, the fitting respect is a matter of justice.