How well can one get to know a Strawsonian person?

Abstract

I shall argue that one cannot get to know a Strawsonian person, to speak in a popular way. To speak more philosophically, Strawson has a metaphysical theory of persons which involves serious epistemological difficulties. I shall begin by establishing that Strawson is committed to three claims: 1) the concept of a person is a priori, 2) persons are "items" or "things" which cannot be experienced, and 3) we apply the concept of a person to a particular Strawsonian person (subject of experiences and bodily characteristics) "via" his body. Then I shall argue that good reasons for this view are not provided and offer explanations of why Strawson does not recognize this difficulty.