Persons and the Metaphysics of Socialization
Description
This book offers an explanation on how the process of socialization constitutes a new entity-a person- and what the ontological status of the new entity that comes into existence through socialization is. This title is unique in explaining the process of socialization ontologically. The author argues that acquiring personhood is only possible through socialization in society. Therefore, being a person is not an intrinsic property of an organism. A person is an entity that is constituted by the interaction between a body and a society. Persons and their bodies are, the author argues, of different ontological kinds. He defends the notion of the constitution as one which is compatible with the idea that persons are distinct entities from their bodies.
This book appeals to students and researchers and offers a suggestion to solve the problem of personal identity over time. The author puts forth the idea that persons are constituted events in contrast to the standard approach which places them in the category of objects. Discussing personhood leads naturally to a consideration of wildlife and the question of whether any non-human animal can be a person.
More details
Person
Dr. M. Reza Tahmasbi is currently a professor at the Philosophy Department of Trent University. Reza has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Queensland, Australia. He obtained his M.A. in philosophy from the University of Tehran, Iran. His area of specialization is philosophy of mind (personal identity) and the metaphysics of person. Throughout his studies and research in philosophy, Reza has worked mainly in the areas of personal identity and self-consciousness. In his PhD dissertation, On the Nature of Persons: Persons as Constituted Events, he worked on the nature of the human person (self-consciousness) and the relationship between persons and their bodies. In addition to his philosophical background, Reza benefits from his studies in science. His studies in veterinary medicine have provided him with the ability to better understand the biological and neurological foundations of cognition, consciousness and personhood. Before studying philosophy, he obtained his doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine. As a professor, Reza has taught courses on philosophy and ethics. As the outcome of his research projects, Reza has published several papers in peer-reviewed philosophy journals.
Content
Introduction Socialization and Persons.- Personhood.- Socialization and reflective self-consciousness.- Persons and non-persons.- Persons and bodies.- The ontological status of persons.- Personal Identity over time.