Far-persons are embodied minds with severe deficits in control of psychological continuity. They may be unable to use higher order thoughts or reasons to exercise control over their feelings.

Far-persons typically have emotional activations and consciousness. There is something it feels like to be them because they are wakeful and aware. They may groove to a rhythm and hum simple melodies, be capable of multiple-reversal learning and have language in the broad sense, understanding that words stand for objects. However, they suffer executive dysfunction, perhaps because they are unable to form complex higher order thoughts, or to use socially learned mechanisms, or to attribute minds to others. Their psychological connections may be brief, in the minutes or even seconds range.

Far-persons typically are not conscious of themselves or their emotions, may not be able to craft their emotions into feelings. Because they are often limited in their ability to desire their own happiness or the happiness of others, they have difficulty cooperating with others. They may not evoke from others any moral emotion beyond pity.