Personal statement: "To be capable of respect is almost as rare as to be worthy of it" - Joseph Joubert (1754 - 1824).
Respect is something, with which we deal daily. On its basis, we reflect, communicate and act. Treating others respectfully is not a natural gift - it requires a sharp awareness of one’s own moral values and standards. Relations are not easy in a society like ours, which emphasizes quantity more than quality in interpersonal communication; in which the old hierarchies disappear more slowly than the new ones appear, and, in which internationalization and globalization shape business
development. Even though the importance of respect has been overlooked so far, it can give a solid foundation of interpersonal relationships. From this perspective I see the possibility to take a closer look at such relationships in a scientific way. In this innovative, interdisciplinary project I hope to gain a deeper understanding of respect as a concept.
