Personhood

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Personhood is the status of being a person. Defining personhood is a controversial topic in philosophy and law and is closely tied with legal and political concepts of citizenship, equality, and liberty. According to law, only a natural person or legal personality has rights, protections, privileges, responsibilities, and legal liability.

Philosophy[edit | edit source]

Philosophy of personhood identifies the unique characteristics that make a being a person. For example, personhood can be tied to the concept of consciousness, the ability to experience pain, or the ability to communicate.

Law[edit | edit source]

In law, personhood is the status of being a legal person, where one is recognized as a person before the law. It is a key concept in the field of civil rights, constitutional law, corporate law, and international law.

Religion[edit | edit source]

Different religions have different beliefs about personhood. For example, in Christianity, a person is generally considered to be a human being, while in Buddhism, beings can have varying degrees of personhood depending on their level of enlightenment.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Personhood Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD