What is it?
The Dignity Index is an eight-point system that is designed to ease divisions, prevent violence, and solve problems by choosing dignity over contempt. Each scale point of this system represents a certain mindset demonstrated through quotes and traits. The scale ranges from one to eight, with ONE representing a viewpoint that holds no dignity for the other side and EIGHT, which sees dignity in all. Scoring involves matching the language in each passage to the quotes or traits of a particular scale point.
- “They’re not even human. It’s our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us.”
- Demonstrates an absolute belief in their own righteousness and the life-threatening, subhuman evil of the other side
- Cannot bear the pain of any blame or criticism; they could kill a critic
- Feels virtuous and heroic about calling for violence and acting on it
- “Those people are evil and they’re going to ruin everything if we let them. It’s us or them.”
- Believe the other side is an existential threat
- Talks about seceding or moving to another country to get away from “those people”
- Tells stories that prove the evil of the other side
- Longs to see the other side suffer and “see them finally get what they deserve”
- “We’re the good people and they’re the bad people. It’s us vs. them.”
- Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals
- Wants to weaken the other side and make them fail
- Ascribes all the good qualities to “us” and all the bad qualities to “them”
- Takes credit for good outcomes and blames the other side for bad outcomes
- “We’re better than those people. They don’t really belong. They’re not one of us”
- Dismissed the other side as not really worth talking to
- Denies similarities, highlights points of difference, downplays common interests and values
- Will distort or rename an opponent’s position to make it sound unappealing
- “The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. They belong here too.”
- Speaks openly, explaining their views, but never with contempt
- Does more than state vague goals; they state views they know others oppose
- Listens intently and sincerely to the other side without any expressions of contempt
- Challenges the other side on facts, actions, decisions, and outcomes, never with insults or negative labels
- “We always talk to the other side, searching for values and interests we share.”
- Can see the good in the other side and will acknowledge their skills and accomplishments
- Finds it deeply satisfying to cooperate with the other side
- Feels affection for their partners on the other side; they are proud if the relationship and feel it is special
- “We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don’t share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds.”
- Can offer genuine apologies and forgiveness, even after painful conflicts
- Has a great deal of humility, especially in their ability to be self-critical, admit mistakes, and even consider how they might be contributing to the problem
- Sees through the polarization game. When others try to incite anger and pit people against each other, they call it out and urge others not to fall for it
- Will challenge contempt to defend the dignity of someone being demonized
- “Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what.”
- Can respond to contempt by treating the other person with dignity. That’s how they love their enemies.
- Has no sense of moral superiority. They don’t look down on anyone.
- Will defend the dignity of the most demonized, even when it puts them in danger.
