On the origin and foundation of the concept "The Person” metaphysical realism on interpersonal recognition

Abstract

According to the author, at the root of the problem of ‘the person’ lies the concrete soul’s ability to know itself. Furthermore, the intention of ‘understanding’ must be ontologically interpreted as an activity of the soul. An analysis of the concept ‘person’ and other related notions in some relevant medieval and modern philosophers is carried out. There are also references to contemporary thinkers. The author claims that the notion that Spaemann introduces, considering intentionality merely to be a subjective feeling or negativity, is insufficient. The aforesaid subjective feeling is identical with the concept of ‘experiencing intuition’ in phenomenology, but it is insufficient to enable one to understand the essence of ‘the person’ as a spiritual being. The author states that each and every human being should not only be acknowledged as a rational creature but also as ‘a person’, in particular when we refer to this human being or this soul. He adds that the practical consequences of this perspective are of utmost importance.