I absolutely agree that emotional processing is an important component of intelligence. But I'm still not convinced that it's a good way of ascribing rights. R

I absolutely agree that emotional processing is an important component of intelligence. But I'm still not convinced that it's a good way of ascribing rights. Regarding your examples: we certainly do act in the interests of the insane, mentally disabled and children. But that is not because they have fewer rights or have less personhood. We act for them because and in defense of their rights. We do this because they are unable to protect themselves and need guardians to defend them from abuses to their dignity, bodily integrity, etc.