The Economics of Dignity

Sor Juana's writings constantly assert human dignity as non-negotiable—whether defending women's intellectual capacity or critiquing power structures. The Economics of Dignity applies this principle to every transaction: Does the farmer, factory worker, or artisan receive wages that acknowledge their worth? Are they treated as fully human or as expendable labor? This concept reframes ethical consumption from an individual moral checklist into a relational responsibility. When we buy, we enter into relationship with countless unseen people. Do we honor those relationships? Fair trade, living wages, safe conditions, and worker voice aren't luxuries—they're minimum requirements for dignity. Sor Juana would reject systems that separate our comfort from others' suffering. She understood that justice requires knowing the human cost of our choices. The Economics of Dignity asks: Can we buy this knowing a human being was properly valued in its creation? This shifts consumption from transaction into moral practice, making every purchase an opportunity to affirm human worth.