Person and Rationality

This essay explores the concept of personhood based on Boethius’s definition, which identifies rationality as the essential characteristic of persons. This view faces challenges, leading to criticisms and alternative approaches. Aquinas introduced relationality and dignity into the notion of personhood, paving the way for an existential understanding of the person beyond rationality. Extending Aquinas's thought, Leonardo Polo’s transcendental anthropology suggests that personhood is rooted in the individual’s mode of existence. His proposal suggests that rationality stems from personhood, rather than the other way around. The paper seeks to bridge phenomenology and ontology, showing that personhood goes beyond rationality and is grounded in the unique existence of individuals. This perspective offers a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities of personhood.