personhood
Over in the Phliosphy Now Forum a recurring conversation is over the nature of 'person'.
What 'is' a person? What are the qualities or characteristics of 'person'. What makes a human being a person? Why isn't -- for example -- a goldfish a person? When does a human being become a person? One fellow over there posted "Foetuses are no(t) "persons" until they are named and certified by live birth." which, as I said is 'one legitimate (and, in my view, flawed) way to look at personhood.' So: dazzle me with insight & wisdom. |
Person is a label applied from the outside. If you see someone as a person, they are a person. Only your criteria matter in that case. You may not have a structured list of characteristics they must meet. You might just need to feel some empathy toward them.
so .... a Person is someone you can relate to. For whatever reason. It's really a meaningless adjective because the Object (of 'Personhood') is not in control of the distinction. |
"Person is a label applied from the outside."
So: if I see myself, define myself, as 'person' it's meaningless?
|
Quote:
Otherwise, it"s when ya turn 18.:doit: |
Personhood requires self-consciousness - being aware of ourselves, and in control of our actions; being able to reason and see why things happen, rather than just experiencing things.
|
Quote:
|
But they encourage ya to talk to them...
|
...like houseplants, now that I think about it.
|
OMG!!!
Houseplants are persons!!! |
conscious, i.e., awake and alert, and consciousness, i.e., the cognitive state of being where you are self-aware etc. are different things. You can be in a dream state and still have consciousness. Call it a sense of selfhood?
|
Don't get me wrong: I think you're on to sumthin' with this...
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
to everyone other than you, yes. You may see yourself as a person, but if I think you're a monster.... then to me.... |
A comatose person is a person with self-consciousness who is currently unconscious.
|
Quote:
That is: your opinion doesn't overwrite reality. So: is personhood intrinsic or bestowed (that seems to be the question between us)? |
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:31 PM. |
Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.