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WHAT IS A HUMAN PERSON? Written by KEMKA S. IBEJI

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The major difference between humans and the lower animals is rationality. But this comes with so many other things. Rationality entails there are things to think about. Such things as alternatives. Humans make choices as always presented with alternatives. With choice comes responsibility. Every choice therefore has a responsibility. This network makes human person different from the rest of organisms. The essential characteristics of human person therefore are; rationality, choice and responsibility. Within these are; freedom, alternatives or options. These must be complete in a being for such a being to be part of mankind. The implication is that if you deny any human being any of these features, you have dehumanised him or her. Dehumanisation therefore means the denial of rationality, choice, or responsibility. Inferentially, it also means the denial of freedom and alternatives. Whenever anyone no longer has any of these essential human characteristics, the being ceases to be huma...