Based on fundamental aspects of interpersonal interaction, we see someone in two basic ways.
When interacting with another human being, the foundational reference indicates that there are two basic ways to see a person. These ways determine how we perceive their value and significance in the interaction.
The Two Basic Ways to See a Person
According to the provided information, when you interact with someone, you fundamentally see them in one of two manners:
- As a Person: This means seeing them as "a human being with value and significance". This perspective acknowledges their inherent worth, dignity, and humanity. It involves recognizing them not merely for a function they might serve or a characteristic they possess, but for who they are as a complete individual.
- As an Object: This is defined as objectifying them, which means "to make them something less than, or other than a human being." When someone is seen as an object, their value or significance as a person is disregarded or diminished. They might be viewed instrumentally, for a specific purpose, or simply as a collection of traits rather than a whole, valued individual.
Understanding the Difference
This distinction highlights the nature of the relationship or interaction. Seeing someone as a person fosters mutual respect and acknowledges their full humanity. Seeing someone as an object, on the other hand, strips away their inherent value and can lead to treating them merely as a means to an end or reducing them to a single characteristic or function.
In summary, based specifically on the provided context, the fundamental answer to how we see someone during interaction boils down to either recognizing their full value and significance as a human being or failing to do so by treating them as an object.
