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March 1983 (Volume 61)
Quarterly Article
Ruth Macklin
Sep 14, 2026
Sep 9, 2026
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Although the literature-medical, philosophical, religious, and legal-on personhood is vast, there is little evidence that writers on this topic are approaching a consensus on the meaning of the concept or on criteria for its application. Some writers set “low,” or minimal, standards for personhood; others posit “higher,” more normative standards. But throughout, the moral values writers antecedently embrace determine the definition they arrive at by way of conclusion. Personhood has not been a useful concept for resolving dilemmas in bioethics.
Author(s): Ruth Macklin
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Volume 61, Issue 1 (pages 35–57) Published in 1983