Well this all implies that we agree that empathy should be a driving force in decision making, overriding all others, to the point that it's ethical to impose o

Well this all implies that we agree that empathy should be a driving force in decision making, overriding all others, to the point that it's ethical to impose onto wider society. Where do you derive the authority to extract compliance, by force, with your virtues and worldview at the expense of others? Also I don't think we agree on the definition of dignity. In my eyes it's perfectly possible to die of disease or starvation with dignity. Otherwise you're implying that nature itself is bereft of it.