Have you ever thought about the phenomenon that is humanity? What are people? What are these almost 7 billion humans on this tiny planet? What are YOU?
That might seem like a strange question, especially written with the word “what.” But I ask “what” because it is a more basic question than “who.” “Who” automatically implies personage. The question I ask: what is the phenomenon of personage? Why do we not refer to animals as “who”s? Why not trees or things as “who”s?
No, the word “who” is used for people exclusively. Why is this? How is it that even language acknowledges the uniqueness of humanity? Certainly this uniqueness is not limited only to an idiom...
If you ever get your hands on a copy of "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion" by Mary Anne Warren, it will infuriate you! And I think to be infuriated every once in a while is good. This article made me appreciate personhood SO MUCH MORE because of Warren's lack of a right understanding of personhood. Anywho, not like you have all this free time... just thought it might be an interesting addition to your intellectual radar!
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