sources of dignity for individuals

What does it mean to speak about the dignity of a human person? Is it permissible to speak about the dignity of trees and rocks? Does a rock share a sacred space in which we, as a society, develop laws to protect the rights and dignity of the rocks? What is it about the human person that demands protection from the state? What is it about the human person that demands respect from other human persons? What is this thing called ’personhood’ that demands respect from other persons? Is there something special about the person that demands my full respect? What is this thing that we single out as ’special’ in the human person?