1. Does the definition of a person as a biological member of the species H. sapiens with a right to life appropriately capture what it is for a person to be a person? If not, why not?
2. If the above definition doesn't suit you, and you feel you have a better definition to offer, please provide it here.
3. Using the definition you feel most accurately describes what it is to be a person, when do you feel a person first should be recognized as such? At what point in time can a person first be properly called a person? Why?
4. Prior to this time does a being have any rights? If so, which? Why?
Hypothetical scenarios...
5. Should a pregnant woman be legally allowed to consume alcohol if she plans to carry the fetus to term? Smoke? Use drugs? Engage in potentially risky behaviors? Why or why not?
6. Should a pregnant woman who has spontaneously aborted (miscarried) be held morally or legally responsible for the loss to the same extent she might be were she to lose a child? Should she be investigated for neglect? If so, why? If not, why?
7. Should a woman be forced to maintain a pregnancy even though it may have lethal consequences for her? Why or why not?
Please feel free to offer your replies to any and all of the questions above. (Click on "comments" immediately below)
Ideas about personhood and when it begins
An Examination of Contemporary American Folk Psychology Surrounding the Chronological Genesis of Personhood
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this blog is to obtain information regarding when people, specifically Americans, believe a person actually becomes a person. The larger goal is to obtain an ethnographic account of the basic folk psychology surrounding the notion of personhood and when it begins, chronologically, for contemporary Americans. To this end, it is not necessary that you provide your identity. My goal is simply to obtain your thoughts on this matter.
Consent
By answering the questions below you are agreeing to participate in this study. Your identity will not be sought or included in any of the material generated by this questionnaire. This study is being conducted as part of a requirement for an Anthropology Honors Thesis Project at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Please contact me at men3117@u.washington.edu should you have any questions.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
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