Defining "person" is complex and varies across different fields like philosophy, law, and ethics. There isn't one universally agreed-upon definition.

Here's a breakdown of different perspectives:

• Philosophical Perspective: Philosophers have debated personhood for centuries. Common criteria include:
• Consciousness: Awareness of oneself and the surrounding world.
• Self-awareness: Understanding oneself as an individual, distinct from others.
• Rationality: The ability to reason, think logically, and make decisions.
• Moral agency: The capacity to act morally and be held responsible for one's actions.
• Sentience: The ability to experience feelings and sensations.
• Legal Perspective: In law, a person is typically defined as an entity with rights and responsibilities. This often includes individual human beings and can sometimes extend to corporations or other organizations.
• Biological Perspective: From a biological standpoint, a person is a member of the species Homo sapiens. However, this definition doesn't address the philosophical or ethical considerations of personhood.

The concept of personhood becomes particularly important in discussions about abortion, euthanasia, animal rights, and artificial intelligence. Different definitions can lead to very different conclusions about the moral status and rights of various beings or entities.

For further reading, you might find these resources helpful:

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Personhood