Research Paper on:
'Personhood' and Dolphins

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
properly Introduction  A while ago, with true t-shirt wisdom, a shirt was seen, that said something like, the more I know about humans, the more I like my dog.  While a dog has earned the moniker, mans best friend, would you ever consider calling your dog a "person?" In this discussion, we will be asking a similar question  about one of the most intelligent animal species - the dolphin. Can the dolphin be considered a "person?" Personhood Although it may not be the subject of  everyday conversation, it does become a puzzle to think what might make a "person." Others, it appears have contemplated that very notion as well. Daniel Denett suggests that  we ask the questions: 1) is alive? 2) is it aware? 3) feels positive and negative sensations? 4) has a sense of self (self-consciousness) with emotions? 5)  controls its own behavior (can be held responsible)? 6) recognizes other persons and treats them appropriately? 7) is capable of analytical, conceptual thought? 8) is able to  learn; can retain and recall information? 9) can solve complicated problems with analytical thought? 10) has the capacity for communication that suggests thought? Certainly dolphins are dramatically different than  humans, but if we can get over the idea of language, lets look at some other comparisons. One cognitive skill, that is often used is this type of exercise  is perception. Perception for most involves some type of self -awareness. This would mean that the animal is not acting out of a survival mode, but rather has