Dolphins and Personhood
Personhood can be a very controversial topic and in this case, it can be hard for someone to think of a dolphin as a person. A person does not only have to be a human being. A person can be defined as an independent intelligent being who is able to make life decisions while being self aware. A being that is able to establish connections with other beings and have those connections turn to relationships can be a person. They can also experience pain and feel different emotions and individuals can understand, communicate and manipulate situations. A person cannot just be any living being but one that meets this criteria. A dolphin can be described as a person for it meets this criteria of a person.
Dolphins are intelligent beings that live in the ocean and although logically they may not be seen as a person they can be said to be one. They are classified as mammals and …show more content…
The philosopher Aristotle has said: “ All living things have souls” and has also stated that “ Various grades of souls exist, some having higher capabilities than others”. It can be said that if different souls exist, different levels of persons exist. There are many animals who do not understand or are able to manipulate or communicate. But dolphins are able too. There are different types of people living who have different levels of capabilities and they are still considered to be a person. However, if a dolphin can be described as a person can a chimp also be considered? The answer can be argued as yes for it does not meet the same criteria and has many similar habits and mannerisms as a human being. Which would make both considered “persons”. With this criteria of a person, does this change the way that we perceive fetuses? When a fetus is inside a mother, it is unable to connect, be self aware, or even make a life decision. So this changes the way a fetus can be seen as a
Personhood can be a very controversial topic and in this case, it can be hard for someone to think of a dolphin as a person. A person does not only have to be a human being. A person can be defined as an independent intelligent being who is able to make life decisions while being self aware. A being that is able to establish connections with other beings and have those connections turn to relationships can be a person. They can also experience pain and feel different emotions and individuals can understand, communicate and manipulate situations. A person cannot just be any living being but one that meets this criteria. A dolphin can be described as a person for it meets this criteria of a person.
Dolphins are intelligent beings that live in the ocean and although logically they may not be seen as a person they can be said to be one. They are classified as mammals and …show more content…
The philosopher Aristotle has said: “ All living things have souls” and has also stated that “ Various grades of souls exist, some having higher capabilities than others”. It can be said that if different souls exist, different levels of persons exist. There are many animals who do not understand or are able to manipulate or communicate. But dolphins are able too. There are different types of people living who have different levels of capabilities and they are still considered to be a person. However, if a dolphin can be described as a person can a chimp also be considered? The answer can be argued as yes for it does not meet the same criteria and has many similar habits and mannerisms as a human being. Which would make both considered “persons”. With this criteria of a person, does this change the way that we perceive fetuses? When a fetus is inside a mother, it is unable to connect, be self aware, or even make a life decision. So this changes the way a fetus can be seen as a