HUMAN DIGNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The article examines the concept of human and Christian dignity within the framework of contemporary spiritual-ethical, philosophical, and theological discourse. It analyzes the ontological and moral dimensions of dignity and its connection with human responsibility toward oneself, society, and the environment. The study demonstrates that dignity is not only a universal moral value but also a fundamental principle of spiritual and social development, grounded in the biblical teaching about the human person as created in the image and likeness of God. It is argued that the preservation of the environment constitutes not merely a technical or political issue but primarily a moral and theological task, in which Christian dignity is manifested through responsibility, love, and service to creation. The article explores the works of Ukrainian and foreign scholars (O. Hryshchuk, P. Rabinovych, I. Kozlovskyi, V. Rozvadovskyi, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and J. Chryssavgis), which contribute to a deeper understanding of the interrelation between human dignity, ecological ethics, and Christian anthropology. It is emphasized that dignity does not disappear even in the state of sin but calls for renewal through repentance, grace, and virtue. The role of the Church is highlighted in fostering a culture of ecological responsibility that unites the spiritual dimension of human existence with social and natural realities. The article concludes that Christian dignity forms the foundation for an ethic of love, justice, and care for God’s creation. Its practical embodiment promotes the development of a mature society in which spirituality and science complement one another in protecting life, nature, and moral values. Human dignity thus becomes the center of synthesis for theological, ethical, and socio-ecological principles aimed at preserving the harmony of creation.