The Ontological Foundations of Human Dignity: A Biblical-Theological and Philosophical Refutation of “Speciesism”

ARTICLE GUIDE

At a Glance

The essay defends intrinsic human dignity against capacity-based personhood while grounding compassionate animal care and stewardship in the image of God.

How can human dignity remain secure when abilities change?

Key Claims

• The article evaluates Singer and Regan’s critiques of human moral priority.
• Capacity-based worth is challenged by cases of dependence and diminished abilities.
• The image of God is treated as an endowed status rather than a detachable skill.
• Human royal-priestly vocation creates obligations toward the rest of creation.
• The argument connects philosophical anthropology with biblical law and covenantal purpose.

Primary Textual Anchors

• Genesis 1:26–27; 2:7 — human identity and creation.
• Genesis 3:15; Romans 11 — the essay’s promise-plan framework.

Scripture Connections

Genesis 1:26–27; 2:7 — human identity and creation. Genesis 3:15; Romans 11 — the essay’s promise-plan framework.

Selected Scholarship

• Paul Copan — How Do You Know You’re Not Wrong? (2005).
• Peter Singer and Tom Regan — animal-liberation interlocutors.
• Walter C. Kaiser Jr. — The Promise-Plan of God (2008).

Related Guides

• Between Mortality and New Creation
• The Case for the Immaterial Soul: Philosophical Defenses, Canonical Foundations, and Promise-Plan Integration

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