Final answer:
In West African societies, babies are not considered full persons until a naming ceremony, contrasting with Western emphasis on rationality. Personhood debates are central to moral philosophy and issues like abortion, showing cultural diversity in the value assigned to human life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In West African societies, such as that of the Beng, personhood for babies is not immediately recognized at birth. Instead, it is a status acquired through societal rituals. A baby's journey to personhood culminates in a naming ceremony, which is an essential cultural practice. This ceremony, often conducted by an elder or religious figure, is attended by extended family and friends, all of whom play a role in welcoming the baby into the community. Until this ceremony takes place, the baby is not considered a full person within their society. This stands in contrast to Western philosophical views, where debates over personhood often center around rationality and moral capacity. For example, Aristotle's and Kant's emphasis on rationality as a defining trait of personhood echoes through modern discussions on abortion and the moral status of fetuses. Philosophers like Mary Anne Warren argue that fetuses lack essential characteristics of personhood and therefore do not hold a right to life that overrides the rights of the pregnant person.
In considering when personhood begins, it is notable that not all humans are born as fully functioning rational agents, and societies differ in how they assign value and recognize personhood. The West African cultural model shows that the acknowledgment of personhood can be contingent on social and ceremonial factors rather than the presence of inherent rational abilities at birth, highlighting the diversity in conceptions of human worth and the beginning of life. The debate about personhood and when it begins remains central to discussions both in moral philosophy and in the resolution of contemporary social issues like abortion.