Human Condition

[tezza]

I am doing some research into what makes us human and how we came to be what we are now. Please what are your views on what does it mean to be human and what makes us different from other animals.

[pamela]

I am doing some research into what makes us human and how we came to be what we are now. Please what are your views on what does it mean to be human and what makes us different from other animals.

The ability to reason. :)

[cal]

The ability to reason. :)

Most other organisms have some means of reasoning... simply to reason is not a trait that sets us aside. You might then say that we can reason that we can reason, which gives rise to the whole "sentience" thing. But there are quite a few other organisms that can also reason that they reason. You might then say that we have a super form of reasoning, unmatched by any other organism on the planet, and that is what sets us aside, but again, even with super sentience there was a time when we didn't have it, or when other organisms from different species trees were smarter, which leads to the idea that there is an organism on this planet who's species line might end up being leaps and bounds more intelligent than ours.

 

Really our "highly-evolved" ability to reason was pure luck. Some other animals might be forced to develop it as well to be able to adapt to living in a world where one species (currently, ours) totally dominates. That being said, I don't think it's a safe thing to say that our ability to reason is unique in any way or that it alone is what makes us human.

[Eclogite]

Language

Profound problem solving abilities

Highly effective cultural transmission of information

Bipedal gait

Opposable thumbs

Domesticated behavioural patterns, favouring cooperation in large groups

Suicicidal curiosity

 

And of course, the Oscars.

[LaurieAG]

Animals don't get sucked in by propaganda.

Edited March 4, 2013 by LaurieAG