Quote:
|
Originally Posted by mrg
This has really been puzzling me lately too.
Well, more than just puzzling me, to tell the truth.
Man.
Woman.
Individual.
Person.
If it pertains to man/woman why not say the specific words plain, clear, straightforward, forthright, simple and true?
|
Without Prejudice.
Persons can be like unto roles created by the statutes, bylaws or laws of a body politic such as a 'state'. In a states statutes you might find the term 'applicant', 'director', 'police officer', or 'judge'--such are persons or personas.
Quote:
|
The latin word for mask is persona.
|
Individual seems to be a word that is used in contrast to an organization or a plurality. But in any case it seems that individual refers to a person rather than persons. Appears that when the term 'individual' is used by a state it means a unit of itself.
A city from without can be perceived to be an individual--that is a distinct unit. From within, the City of San Franscico could view the persons making up the city as a collection of individuals.
Similarly, from without, the United States could be perceived as a singularity. From within, the United States itself could perceive each of the 50 States to be individuals.
According to some, when a man alienates his own will he ceases to become a man [with respect to political theory or theories concerning sovereignty]. As for what constitutes such alienation that isnt neccesarily the topic of discussion. But such might include taking an oath of allegiance or entering into a contract.
Quote:
|
If it pertains to man/woman why not say the specific words plain, clear, straightforward, forthright, simple and true?
|
Because it doesnt. Can a state can only act on any but its own creatures or the creatures of another state per a compact or agreement with that state? Can a state have any more rights or power than a man or men that created it?
Regarding the word 'man', one might use caution and wisdom. The word man can mean 'vassal'.
Quote:
1. A person who held land from a feudal lord and received protection in return for homage and allegiance.
2. A bondman; a slave.
3. A subordinate or dependent.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *vassallus, from *vassus, of Celtic origin; see upo in Indo-European roots.]
|
From the Free Dictonary:
Quote:
Man
12. One who swore allegiance to a lord in the Middle Ages; a vassal.
|
Quote:
|
1303 (implied in vassalage) "tenant who pledges fealty to a lord," from O.Fr. vassal, from M.L. vassallus "manservant, domestic, retainer," from vassus "servant," from O.Celt. *wasso- "young man, squire" (cf. Welsh gwas "youth, servant," Bret. goaz "servant, vassal, man," Ir. foss "servant"). The adj. is recorded from 1593.
|
Other potentially relevant terms: free man, son of God, child of God, sovereign, freeborn, suae potestate esse, man on the land.
Free man pretty much means not a serf. freeman is not necessarily synonymous with free man.