A Successful Utopia: The Doctrine of Human Dignity

One of the lackeys of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, we are told, was a pillow bearer. When interviewed after the emperor’s death, he declared: His Majesty would take his place on the throne, and when he had seated himself I would slide a pillow under his feet. This had to be done like lightning so as not to leave Our Distinguished Monarch’s legs hanging in the air for even a moment. We all know that His Highness was of small stature ... [I]t is difficult to imagine that an appropriate dignity can be maintained by a person whose legs are dangling in the air like those of a small child. The pillow solved this delicate and all-important conundrum.