# Personhood

**Status:** provisional  
**See also:** H2, RQ2, APE in `Terminology.md`

## Working definition

**Personhood** describes the extent to which an entity exhibits properties commonly
associated with persons. Multidimensional, not binary.

Unless explicitly qualified, Soul Frame uses personhood **descriptively**, not as
moral or legal status.

## Distinctions to maintain

| Kind | Focus |
|---|---|
| Descriptive personhood | Person-like capabilities and characteristics |
| Social personhood | Recognition and treatment as a social counterpart |
| Moral personhood | Status giving rise to moral consideration |
| Legal personhood | Status created or recognized by legal systems |

## Relation to Being

Personhood concerns qualities exhibited.  
Beinghood concerns whether qualities cohere into an identifiable, persistent system
recognized as an individual counterpart.