Item 2 in Truth By Reason Master Ethical Code

Recognise Equal Moral Worth

Treat every person as possessing equal fundamental dignity and reject arbitrary discrimination or degradation.

Position
2
Form
Mixed formulation
Obligation
Context-dependent
Wording status
Translation
Intended audience
Everyone
Last reviewed
28 June 2026

Names and terminology

Canonical name: Recognise Equal Moral Worth

Source wording

<p>Treat every person as possessing equal fundamental dignity and reject arbitrary discrimination or degradation.</p>

Translation

Literal meaning

Treat every person as possessing equal fundamental dignity and reject arbitrary discrimination or degradation.

Broader interpretation

Different needs can justify different assistance, but ancestry, sex, belief, disability, status or identity do not make one person inherently worth less.

Practical meaning

Treat every person as possessing equal fundamental dignity and reject arbitrary discrimination or degradation.

Ethical purpose

Different needs can justify different assistance, but ancestry, sex, belief, disability, status or identity do not make one person inherently worth less.

Modern application

Apply this principle to personal conduct, organisations and public policy, with particular attention to people and beings who carry the greatest risks while holding the least power.

Criticism and difficult cases

This principle may conflict with other duties. It should therefore be applied with evidence, proportionality, role reversal, attention to power and review of foreseeable consequences.

Truth By Reason analysis

Different needs can justify different assistance, but ancestry, sex, belief, disability, status or identity do not make one person inherently worth less.

Sources