The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity

E97772

The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity is Ashley Montagu’s influential biographical and philosophical examination of Joseph Merrick that emphasizes his humanity, moral worth, and the social meaning of physical difference.


Statements (42)
Predicate Object
instanceOf biography
book
philosophical work
about disability
ethics
human dignity
medical humanities
physical difference
social attitudes toward deformity
aimsTo affirm the intrinsic value of every human being
correct misconceptions about Joseph Merrick
author Ashley Montagu NERFINISHED
centersOn the life story of Joseph Merrick
contrasts Joseph Merrick’s inner life with his public image
countryOfOrigin United States
critiques sensationalist treatment of Joseph Merrick
social prejudice against physical deformity
depicts Victorian social and medical attitudes
emphasizes respect for persons regardless of appearance
the concept of human dignity
the ethical treatment of people with disabilities
focusesOn the humanity of Joseph Merrick
the moral worth of Joseph Merrick
the social meaning of bodily difference
genre biography
non-fiction
philosophical study
hasSubtitle A Study in Human Dignity NERFINISHED
hasTitle The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity NERFINISHED
highlights compassion shown to Joseph Merrick by some contemporaries
the role of environment in shaping human flourishing
influenced bioethics discussions of personhood
disability studies discourse
language English
mainSubject Joseph Merrick NERFINISHED
placesJosephMerrickIn a broader social and philosophical context
portrays Joseph Merrick as a sensitive and intelligent person NERFINISHED
questions the moral legitimacy of freak shows
the notion of normality in human bodies
relatedTo the historical case of the Elephant Man
usedIn courses on ethics and human rights
medical humanities education

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Ashley Montagu
notableWork

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