| Great illumination of the problem with the definition of respect. I also was explained a definition of respect that forever changed my relationship to the word and it’s lived embodiment. The Latin meaning of the word: Re-Spect - to see again. That’s it. The second definition you gave- to treat someone like a human is way too low a bar. Because one might think that humans are generally POS. Also a person who has a problem with self-respect, does not lack seeing themselves as human per se. If we elevate it a bit - from treating someone as human, to something like, treating someone with basic dignity, i think that’s an improvement. However it’s still basically passive and allows room for a lot of laziness and prejudice. This is why i found the Latin meaning so helpful. Give that person a 2nd look. With each interaction try to see them again and again. It’s much more active, it improves others in our eyes over time (usually, but not always). And I find it improves me over time, as i continue to remember to use my sight. This definition helped me capture the more elevated aspect of respect, the one i felt the word already connotes, but had such a vague definition. A high virtue indeed. |