Abstract

In the study, I examine the concept of personhood in light of developments in the practice of medicine during the latter half of the twentieth century. To this end, I offer a brief historical examination of medical practice during this time with a special focus on the relationship between a physician and a patient. I also consider some of the main contemporary legal and philosophical notions used to characterize personhood today. Subsequently, I conclude that most fail to sufficiently consider the person, as a being, in its entirety. I suggest the human person is created to be in relationship. It is within those bonds that connect us to each other that persons come into being as unique individuals that act in the world, or more precisely, as beings being-in-the-world. Therefore, I suggest that identity and relationality are essential components of personhood. Consequently, I propose is that a model which would allow for the narratives and personal relationships that act in defining who we are as persons is necessary, and that to deny the narrative is to dissociate the person from his identity. Properly framed, such an existential discussion is at once psychological, sociological, historical, philosophical, theological, religious and spiritual. It necessarily requires a framework within which this dialogue can occur. I draw this structure from the writings of Bernard Lonergan.