Review of Joseph Torchia, O.P., Exploring Personhood: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Human Nature

Abstract

The question of personhood and how it relates to being human is rarely addressed in many philosophical circles, preferring instead to investigate issues of the nature of consciousness in its stead. And while consciousness is undoubtedly related to the question of one’s identity, the human person can hardly be reduced to such a specific analysis. And so, in his book Exploring Personhood: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Human Nature, Joseph Torchia, a Dominican priest and professor of philosophy, seeks to uncover the mystery behind humanity and personhood. Torchia starts in the preface with the observation that many regard the question of personhood as obvious but suggests that it is not.