> Personally, I only entertain the notion of personhood with entities which are known to be capable of asserting it themselves. I think that's an interesting y

> Personally, I only entertain the notion of personhood with entities which are known to be capable of asserting it themselves. I think that's an interesting yard stick worth discussing. The problem seems to be to me that it leaves you free to treat a creature as a non-person until it complains, and complains in a way you understand and recognize as asserting personhood. I think that's erring on the side of us making the right call in these matters, and giving the possible ramifications of getting it wrong, I think I'd prefer a more careful approach that doesn't put all of the burden of proof on the creature.