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A third approach to a broad definition of personhood proceeds by criticizing narrow definitions. Whoever proposes a narrow definition must provide some sort of dividing line, or at least specify a phase during which the embryo/fetus/infant changes from a non-person to a person. The 'backing in' approach points out the problems with all the proposed lines or phases.

All the standard dividing lines -- first brain activity, viability, development of certain regions of the brain, and so on -- have difficulties. One is left with a broad definition by default.

But the 'backing in' approach doesn't always answer objections to the broad definitions themselves. To make it work you need to criticize the narrow definitions and answer objections.