Person' as a Family Resemblance Concept

Abstract

For the purposes of this paper, the question of the concept 'person' is directed toward the use of 'person' that concerns "having or not having rights." I do not intend to pursue personality, identity, or any of the many other manners in which people use the concept person. The purpose of this paper is not to investigate or describe how we should treat persons. I intend to provide an examination of the concept person developing the concept as Wittgenstein developed family resemblance concepts, and then briefly examine the implications of such a view. I intend to use the controversy concerning abortion to illustrate the concept 'person.' [From introductory section]