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

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 human being. Remember, you're still a being but not a human being.

But how do we perceive dehumanisation and dehumanisers in our society? These should be the guiding principles of all human society; safeguarding the ingredients of humanity. How does it feel when you're denied the opportunity to add your reason to issues that concern you? What about denying you a choice? How does it feel in the areas of responsibility? This is an interesting aspect. Come with me!

Of course, any of such denial amounts to threat to either life or property or both. Has it started making sense to you now the need for government and education? Maybe you wait till we flash on responsibility and its significance in human society. However, it's interesting enough to reiterate that humans also enjoy dehumanisation at some point and especially in the integrity rooms that have to do with responsibility. What therefore is responsibility?

Most times people get angry because they're referred to as irresponsible. Yes, you should be angry if regarded as irresponsible because it's actually another way of saying that you're not a human being. But are we always human beings or do we most times reduce to mere lower animals by absolving ourselves of responsibility(ies)? Whenever you take any action and either attempt or actually avoid the responsibility, then you're not a human being, you dehumanise yourself.

In all the basic human characteristics, it is through responsibility that crimes begin. Of course, no one easily stops you from either reasoning or making choice(s). I said easily because you can really and verily be stopped from either thinking or making a choice. Yes! If a thief comes into your house and begins to dish out commands, he or she stampeds your rationality and choice. You'll also have been shelved your responsibility. But this is basically external. How does crimes internally stem from responsibility?

When you deny yourself the act of rationality, it hardly amounts to crime. When you deny yourself the practice of choice, it seldom takes you into crime. But whenever you imagine to deny yourself of responsibility, the tendency of being a criminal is so high. What therefore is responsibility? Let's attempt to define responsibility.

Responsibility is the act of receiving praise or blame for your rationally chosen action(s). When I used the phrase "high tendency to" in the preceding paragraph, it was intentional because responsibility has the positive and the negative sides thus; praise and/or blame. So when you perform an action, you're either praised or blamed. This classifies actions as praiseworthy or blameworthy. This is just responsibility! So are you responsible? Do you stand firm to receive the consequence(s) of your action(s) or do you always avoid your responsibility(ies)?

Basically, the avoidance of responsibility which signals criminal propensity is usually the negative aspect; blame. Remember that blameworthy actions are mostly punishable. So it's now clear that punishment is a responsibility. Do you avoid punishment for your actions deserving punishment? Have you imagined planning to take any action where you're also planning to avoid its consequence(s)? If yes, then you're threading on the paths of crime or the immoral. Morally speaking any action you wish to avoid its responsibility is unacceptable.

Recall that these characteristics (rationality, choice and responsibility) essentially separate humans from lower animals. And any being that is denied or deprived just one of these features is dehumanised and therefore denied humanity. Also remember, that whoever is dehumanised, either by him/herself or another is no longer human being but has been reduced to a lower animal. Now imagine a society where people live without responsibility. Where organisms move about without either being praised for good deeds or punished for wrongdoings. Can you imagine any such society in your knowledge?

Have you thought about Nigeria for a moment with respect to responsibility(ies)? Have you wondered why there is so much disorganisation and disorderliness in our system which fester crimes and illegalities? Have you thought about the crimes going on in Nigeria and the reason why they don't seem to be stopping? Now think about this! Imagine if murderers are caught and punished adequately (with capital punishment). Imagine if thieves of our public funds are apprehended and given due treatments (sentenced to prison). Imagine if election riggers are punished with prison sentences and are forced to refund their ill-gotten salaries and allowances.

I will leave you with this story of the Greek Philosopher, Socrates; he was charged with the crime of teaching strange doctrines in Greece and was said to be corrupting the youths with such ideas. He was convicted and sentenced to death. While in detention, the high and mighty visited him and being a teacher of wisdom who has tutored many political bigwigs, he was given opportunities to run away and avoid his responsibility (punishment). He refused all such entreaties. And he said; "if this law that has preserved and kept me all along, now requires my life, let it take it. He peacefully and graciously received and took the hemlock. Socrates died happily being responsible.

The rest is left for social morality if the judgement on Socrates was right or wrong. That's a topic for another day. But the crux of the narrative is standing firmly and not running away from your responsibility which trickle truthfully from your rationally chosen action(s).  Are you therefore a human being or an animal? You now have the requisite tools to reassess yourself and your actions at every slightest moment.

Good day!

I am,
KEMKA S. IBEJI
A Philosopher King 👑