人的尊嚴的概念存在於歐洲傳統文化已久，在宗教與哲學領域均可見其蹤跡，然而，於第二次世界大戰後，人的尊嚴概念即從文化、宗教與哲學領域堂而皇之的進入國際社會法律秩序以及國家的憲法秩序之中，於此我們想要問的是，尊嚴此一概念其歷史源流為何？人的尊嚴條款在國家間的憲法規範或憲政實務的憲法解釋或憲法裁判其實際運作狀況如何，彼此之間是否存有顯著的差異？人的尊嚴條款在憲法上所呈現出的地位如何？是一種憲法價值，還是一種憲法權利，抑或是一種憲法基本原則，或者是三者皆同時具備？為探究上揭問題，本文嘗試從歐洲的尊嚴的歷史源流來分析討論，分別就希臘與羅馬的傳統、基督宗教的傳統、哲學的論述等項予以探究。接著使用觀察比較的途徑，觀察不同國家對人的尊嚴在其國內憲法解釋或憲法裁判的實際實踐狀況，分別就德國、以色列、美國與我國等國家對人的尊嚴條款在憲法實務的實踐加以觀察分析。繼之，就觀察的結果再度深入分析探討人的尊嚴在憲法上的地位，分別就人的尊嚴作為憲法價值、作為憲法權利、作為憲法基本原則等面向予以分析論述，如此，以期彰顯出人的尊嚴條款在憲法上的地位及其作用。

The concept of human dignity is established long time in traditional European culture and can be reflected in the field of religion and philosophy. After World War II, the concept of human dignity has been expanded from the field of culture, religion and philosophy into international legal system and nations’ constitution. Therefore, this article would like to explore its historical origin of the concept of dignity, how human dignity clause operate between interpretation of constitutional norms and case law, whether there are significant difference between each other, how human dignity clauses have been displayed in the constitution, whether the clauses have become a constitutional value, a legal right, or a basic principle. To discuss the above mentioned issues, this article attempt to take the way of historical origin of dignity in Europe, to be discussed respectively by the ancient Greek and Roman, Christian tradition, philosophy and so on. Then this paper will use the methodology of observation and comparison to analyze the practice of human dignity in different countries and constitutional interpretation in those domestic Constitutional Court, especially in Germany, Israel, the United States and Taiwan. Eventually, using the analyzed achievement as a cornerstone moves forward to explaining respectively human dignity as a constitutional value, as a constitutional right, and as the basic principles for the constitution in order to manifest the status and function of human dignity in the constitution.