Single Idea 4669

[catalogued under 16. Persons / A. Concept of a Person / 1. Existence of Persons]

Full Idea

We think of 'persons' as conscious, able to form relationships, capable of thought, having emotional responses, and having some sense of their own identity.

Gist of Idea

Persons are conscious, they relate, they think, they feel, and they are self-aware

Source

Jonathan Glover (Causing Death and Saving Lives [1977], §9.4)

Book Reference

Glover,Jonathan: 'Causing Death and Saving Lives' [Penguin 1982], p.127


A Reaction

A notable addition to Locke's definition is the capacity for relationships. So are autistic children not persons? Is feeling necessary? Mr Spock is then in trouble.

Related Ideas

Idea 1202 A person is intelligent, rational, self-aware, continuous, conscious [Locke]

Idea 20618 Persons must be conscious, reasoning, motivated, communicative, self-aware [Warren, by Tuckness/Wolf]