Difference between Person and Human

Key Difference: The term ‘person’ refers to a being that consists of life and a soul, and has the capability of conscious thought, i.e. is a sentient being. A human, on the other hand, is described as part of the Homo sapiens or Homo sapiens sapiens. The main difference between the two terms is of that fact that ‘human’ is the scientific term that is used to describe a person, whereas, ‘person’ is a philosophical term used to describe a human being.

The term ‘person’ refers to a being that has certain capacities or attributes. These capacities or attributes are defined differently by different people. However, the most common attribute is someone who consists of life and a soul, and has the capability of conscious thought, i.e. is a sentient being.

A human, on the other hand, is described as part of the Homo sapiens or Homo sapiens sapiens. They are basically members of the hominin clade, which is a branch of the great apes. Humans are categorized by their erect posture, bipedalism, larger and more complex brains that allow them the ability to use tools and form societies.

For all purposes a person and a human are the same. The main difference between the two terms is of that fact that ‘human’ is the scientific term that is used to describe a person, whereas, ‘person’ is a philosophical term used to describe a human being.

 A human is a biological categorization of a being. He is a person because he was born as a homo sapien. However, the term ‘person’ is much more complex, and there is no single definition that describes one. A person may just be some who thinks, who is aware that that he thinks; and a person who has conscious though. A person may also be someone who has feeling, who is compassionate, and has all the other characteristics that some define as being humane. It is part of an ongoing philosophical debate, which may never see one answer. 

In addition, the term ‘human’ may also be used to refer to characterizes and qualities of a person, such as humanity. However, the term ‘person’ is rarely used this way, if ever. The term ‘person’ is basically a less scientific term used to refer to a human being.

Comparison between Person and Human:

 

Person

Human

Definition (Merriam-Webster)

  • A human being
  • A person who likes or enjoys something specified
  • Law : the body or clothing of a person especially when considered as a place to hide things
  • Of, relating to, or affecting people
  • Typical of people
  • Having good or bad qualities that people usually have

Description

The term ‘person’ refers to a being that consists of life and a soul, and has the capability of conscious thought, i.e. is a sentient being.

 

A human is described as part of the Homo sapiens or Homo sapiens sapiens. The term ‘human’ may also be used to refer to characterizes and qualities of a person, such as humanity.

Subject

Philosophical Description

Scientific Description

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