Alfred Mele - What Are Persons?

What does it mean to be a 'person'? How do persons differ from other living things? Must all human beings be persons? Always? When does personhood start—during childhood, at birth, in the womb? Are you a person when asleep? Are people with severe mental deficiencies still persons? Severe brain injuries? What's the importance of persons, anyway?



Alfred Remen Mele is an American philosopher and the William H. and Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University. He is also the Director of the Philosophy and Science of Self-Control Project and past director of the Big Questions in Free Will Project (2010-2013). Mele is the author of ten books and over 200 articles.


Closer to Truth, hosted by Robert Lawrence Kuhn, presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[thereligionofrationality]

Isn't the plural of person "people"? Seriously, shouldn't the question be, "What is a person?" And yes, I whipped out my ancient Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition, 2004) to determine if the word "persons" exists. It does...as a plural of the word "personnel." Don't go flipping woke, dude.

[arifkizilay]

hi, one suggestion: You might want to go to Mr. Chomsky and talk extensively about the history of science, cognitive revolution, etc, but face to face. And maybe several lectures. I consider Chomsky the Aristotle of our time. I believe that would be the most valuable activity to do. Please consider that. thank you.

[BillEFabian]

A survival mechanism, which keeps equilibrium in the mind, allows the person to shift beliefs to maintain balance. Our self deception usually supports our world view and is typically positive in nature. We dismiss evidence when that evidence may lead to a painful life shattering realization. Ignorance is bliss.

[dry]

Good question. Now your talking. What is the “I”. Where is it?

[robertrowland]

Poor example, because taking drugs isn't necessarily bad in and of itself but has been demonized by those with civil authority to legitimize the victimization they want to perpetuate for their own ignoble reasons, the parents refuse to go along with the inherent injustice of the villainization of their child.

[SabiazothPsyche]

This video doesn't answer the question as to what are persons, or what make persons.

[bradleymosman]

"I cannot grasp all that I am." Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote those words in the fourth century c.e. Now, after a Science revolution and Enlightenment, we're still wondering what we are. Priceless.

[thehonorablejiveturkey]

Mortal existence from the past to the present

[soubhikmukherjee]

Finite self is an illusion. It simply doesn't exist.

[brydonjesse]

I look to information that goes against my beliefs and find the world really is full of odd lies, outright lies. I dont know why people stick to false notions

[mehdibaghbadran]

Person coming from personal & personal also comings from your personality, and your personality brings you morality, , & finally humanity !

[falco]

Can we get closer to the truth on why Al doesn’t fucking blink

[kallianpublico]

Self deception or attention. Self deception or the "uncanny" ability to distrust the intelligence of others. Self deception or a trust in your own will that is necessary. Self deception or the organized structure of intention operating on the force you call, rightly and wrongly, your will.

[GradyPhilpott]

I'm losing faith in humanity. Was this guy drugged?

[genius]

Wow and im. Not talking about the show

[achyuthcn]

Person is just an idea that is attached to sense information born out of ignorance of real identity.

[ottodetroit]

Dear Bob, judging by this title, I think you've finally run out of topics. Good run, though.

[zakirp]

Nice topic. Maybe its the curiosity in person as a fundamental nature of consciousness which drives and continues the judgment/debate going between the conflicts instead of ignoring/accepting both of them.

[kevinmo]

If something looks like you as a species and comes behind you and decides to Kick you in your behind, that’s a person.

[lovenikolatesla]

Each one of us specs of space dust interpret things differently like each of our levels of consciousness.