Understanding the Human Person: Key Concepts and Characteristics
Man / Human / Homo sapiens sapiens: (species terms)
Person / Personhood: recognition of rights, protection, responsibilities, and dignity
Human nature: traits that distinguish humans from other creatures
Four Key Characteristics of a Human Person
Self-awareness
Self-determination
Externality
Dignity
Self-awareness
Definition: the person’s clear perception of oneself, including thoughts, emotions, identity, and actions; driven by rationality
Enables interiority: awareness of existence, inner life, goals, dreams, and plans
Self-determination
Definition: capability to make choices, monitor and regulate actions, be goal-oriented and self-directed
Related concepts: freewill, consequences, morality
Freewill: ability to act willfully and be the source of action
Consequences: results of actions
Morality: goodness or badness of an act
Externality
Definition: ability to reach out and interact with others and the world
Rationale: no one is an island; growth occurs through social interaction and relationships
Dignity
Definition: innate right to be valued and respected
Innate worth: every person is priceless, unique, unrepeatable, irreplaceable
Not defined by external factors (beauty, intelligence, skills)
Even if incapable or commits crimes, one remains a person
Basis for recognition of human rights
Additional Notes
Transcendence: evaluating one’s own limitations and the possibilities for growth beyond current state