Regarding the word "Person", I take this etymology from merriam-webster.com :
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French persone, from Latin persona actor's mask, character in a play, person, probably from Etruscan phersu mask, from Greek prosōpa, plural of prosōpon face, mask — more at prosopopoeia. Date: 13th century
The term "person" (the definitions of which say nothing about genetic or physiological structure) has to do with an individual personalty, which can only be had by a conscious individual with the capability of consciousnesses Since a fetus is not a conscious individual, is not individual/distinct from the mother until viability at the earliest, and has no such personality, it can't be said to be a "person."
"Person" is also a legal term: "In contemporary global thought, once humans are born, personhood is considered automatic via Legal fiction created by a Birth certificate."
No comments:
Post a Comment