The aim of this article is a critical analysis of Peter F. Strawson’s theory of primitiveness of the concept of person contained in the third chapter of the Individuals. The problems associated with the distinction between M-predicates and P-predicates are pointed out. The article shows different ways of understanding primitiveness of the concept of person, and points to gaps in Strawson’s argumentation and to the dubious potential of the theory if it is used to solve some basic problems in philosophy of mind. It also deals with some of the difficulties outlined, but does not propose to solve them all.

The text concerns the production of coins in the Litzmannstadt Ghetto (a Jewish ghetto established in the Polish city of Łódź by the German Nazi authorities). In 2019, the author contacted Mordechai Brown, who participated in the production as a 14-year-old boy. The present article has been based on his personal account. In addition, the results of the XRF analyses of the Łódź Ghetto coins have been presented.