persons

Persons is a term used across law, philosophy, and everyday language. In general use it refers to human beings, but in law it can denote natural persons and legal persons. The concept originates from Latin persona, meaning a mask or character, later extended to signify the social and legal standing of an individual.

Natural persons are human beings with inherent dignity and rights. In most legal systems birth marks the start of legal personhood, conferring rights to life, liberty, and property; some jurisdictions recognize rights related to fetal development. Persons can bear duties, enter contracts, sue and be sued, and possess legal capacity.

Legal persons, or juridical persons, are entities such as corporations, associations, and governments that the law recognizes as having rights and duties separate from the individuals who compose them. Legal persons can own property, enter contracts, sue, or be sued, and may be prosecuted for wrongdoing. They act through agents or officers and are subject to fiduciary and regulatory responsibilities. The creation of legal persons allows collective economic activity and governance but may raise questions about accountability and rights scope.

Philosophical discussions of personhood focus on features such as consciousness, rationality, autonomy, and the capacity for moral agency. Debates address whether animals, artificial intelligences, or future beings could or should be considered persons, and how personhood relates to rights and duties.

In practice, the concept of persons serves as a fundamental category in law, ethics, and social policy, shaping how individuals and organizations participate in society.