Personhood resides in ones ability to use reason and logic. Animals are sentient (self-awareness) but do not use logic and rational thought, by and large. Animals are largely deterministic. That is not to say a chimp cannot use a stick to put in a termite hole and get a taste of termite. But on the whole civil rights are not accorded animals because they do not use reason and logic and rational thought.
You obviously have not watched one of my Dobes figure out how to successfully turn different types of door knobs.
:)
My dogs are logical. They know where food comes from and how to get it. They have affectionate responses to my praise. One of them even talks and if you listen carefully, you can determine what she says...which is generally “let’s take a walk” or “I really want a treat.”
Yup, your average Democrat voter.
A Dangerous train of thought! For Cripes sakes, do we consider liberals capable logic and rational thought? Of course not! Shall we declare those of differing beliefs non-human?
What is the difference between my dogs and those with "personhood" who live off money that is extorted from those who are forced to support them? They have no self-awareness, rational thought or logic. They only want what they can get without giving anything up front or in return.
Animals are logical, smart, can be “guilted”, etc. I think what they lack is introspection.