Define "Person"
There are two aspects to the definition of the word "person." First, there
is the definition people give if they are asked to say what they think
what the word means. I don't care about this. What people think the word
means doesn't matter. People are often wrong. Consensi are often wrong.
What I care about is the fact that persons are and should be treated
differently by our society. Persons are given legal rights. Sometimes
they're even given the legal rights they morally should have! What I'm
interested is in how we should define the word "person" so that
whatever fits the definition actually deserves the highest
degree of moral rights that any being can me morally entitled to. I'm not
interested in arbitrary or dictionary definitions of this word. I'm only
interested in your personal opinion of what definition is most
appropriate.
Develop your own personal definition of the word "person". This
definition should meet two distinct criteria.
First, your definition allow us to clearly distinguish between things that
are persons and things that are not persons. Explain your definition fully
by use of examples. Start with simple examples ("rocks are not persons
because..." "humans are persons because...") and go on to more complicated
and difficult examples ("chimpanzees are/are not persons because..."). Use
as many examples as you can think of to illustrate various aspects of your
definition. Make absolutely sure that the things you call persons actually
fit your definition, and the things that you call non-persons actually
fail to fit your definition.
Second, your definition should clearly distinguish between things
that should be given legal rights, and things that should not
be given legal rights. Things that you define as "persons" should also
be things that clearly deserve to have rights, and things that
you define as non-persons should be things that do not deserve
to have legal rights.
For instance, should dogs, cats, and birds have all the full legal rights
that human beings are given? Where should we draw the line between animals
that should have full legal rights as persons, and animals that are not
quite intelligent enough to be considered persons.
I'm not necessarily expecting you to come up with a coherent essay. What I
am looking for is for you to take the time to seriously think this issue
through from as many angles as you can. Your essay doesn't have to come up
with a single, unified answer. It does have to show that you've thought
seriously about the issue, and that you've tried to come up with
that answer.
Finally, if you get that far, argue for your definition as best you can.
Give reasons for leaving out the things you left out as well as for
including the things you included. For instance, if you think that
intelligence is not enough to make something a person, say why it is not
enough.
Any other comments you wish to add will be welcome.
Don't attempt this topic unless you can
accept at least the possibility that the meaning of the word
"person"
doesn't
automatically include the meaning of "human." If you think that the word
"person" is just another word for "human," or "human being," or
"human body," don't pick this topic unless you are prepared to either come
up with reasons why we should define the word person so
that
it only includes humans or to possibly change your mind about the
definition of a person.
Follow-up questions. These ideas aren't off-limits,
if any of them come up in the course of answering your assigned question,
go ahead and discuss them in any way you see fit. But I do want you to
focus on the question(s) I've assigned to you, so don't make any
of these questions your primary topic unless I've specifically assigned
you, or given you permission to do that question. If you want to
focus on a follow-up question, ask me, and I might give you
permission.
Social
Persons Is our definition of a person partially based on
morality,
society or history? Should it be?
Considered What if humans
weren't considered persons?
Copyright © 2006 by Martin C. Young
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