The Human Constitution
A practical framework for human dignity, rights and responsibilities.
We are born with rights.
We mature into responsibilities.
Why do we need a Human Constitution?
Every human has equal human worth.
With that come human rights
that protect our dignity.
But rights alone do not tell us
how to live together.
Our choices affect our own lives, other people,
society and the living world,
and with our choices comes responsibility.
The Human Constitution brings rights and responsibilities together in one practical framework
from ME, through WE, to US.
ME → WE → US
Responsibility begins with the self and widens outward into relationship, society and life.
ME · Stewardship of self
How am I caring for myself — body, emotion and thought?
Where are you entering?
Three doors into the framework
Body · Emotion · Thought
Questions about self, body, emotion, thought, meaning and growth.
Power · Communication
Questions about relationships, boundaries, communication, leadership and power.
Society · Life
Questions about society, technology, governance, peace, nature and our shared future.
In real life
From principle to everyday life.
The Human Constitution is meant to be lived — in how we care for ourselves, use power, communicate, participate in society and relate to life.
- How do I care for my body with dignity?
- What responsibility do I have for my emotional life?
- How do I use power responsibly?
- What does dignity mean when we disagree?
- How should we think about AI and humanity?
- What responsibility do we have toward society and life?
Go deeper
The Seven Principles and deeper resources
Essays, articles and videos exploring dignity, rights and responsibilities — from the inner life and human relationships to society and our relationship with life.
Gather
Sunday Salon and other conversations
Read, reflect, then join a conversation. Spaces to reflect together on how dignity and responsibility take shape in ourselves, in relationship, and in our shared world.
Contribute
Help the work grow
The Human Constitution is developed as a public good. If it matters to you, there are many ways to help it continue — sharing, participating, collaborating, or supporting the work financially.
Created by Maria Dolores
Maria Dolores is a speaker, author and creator of The Human Constitution. The framework grew out of decades of work with leadership, human development, crisis, dignity, rights and responsibilities — and direct experience of mortality.
“A calm place to explore what it means to be human.”
The wider cultural vision behind the framework — the Renaissance of Dignity.