What are the essential traits of a human being?

[hallenrm]

I suppose we are all proud to be human! But what is the essential characteristics by which we qualify for that adjective. Is every biped around us is a human?

 

Surely it demands some thought, even for a few seconds, or minutes!

 

Here are some definitions I found on the web:

 

1. any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage

wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

 

2. humans are the species Homo sapiens (Latin for "knowing man"): a bipedal primate belonging to the superfamily of Hominoidea, with all of the apes: chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_being

 

 

We can acquire all sorts of knowledge as long as our senses functions the way they were meant to function and we can learn what our body is capable of learning. Since the golden age in Greece through the dark ages into our modern world, there has been a multitude of men and women trying to acquire the knowledge of who we really are and what our purpose might be on this planet. There cannot be a reasonable way to explain the meaning of life without first knowing what we are, who we are.

 

Reality is the sum of all the experiences throughout time making a human a constantly curious organism willing to learn from experience. Socrates would also agree with this to a certain extent, using his talent of questioning. Gaining knowledge through interacting with everything that surrounds us, through questioning people about what they hold to be true interpretations of life. Although knowledge itself was not so important to Socrates it was the benefits of learning and the desire for happiness guided by a daemon which had value. I do not agree with Socrates fully since human beings are curious and want to explore some things we might not consider would lead to happiness. It would be much harder for humans to know themselves without knowing the meaning of the pain principle that does not lead to happiness.

 

Interacting with whatever is surrounding us allows the human being to gain knowledge, thus getting to know him/her self. I do not totally agree with Plato either since he claimed that the truth of human nature involves knowledge of another world. Using the senses to gain knowledge, and that it is the knowledge that is more important then the benefits of knowledge.

 

Existentialism holds that humans create their own nature through free responsible choices and actions. The destiny of human beings is not fixed our life’s depend on what we choose to interact with and what we select to learn, at least most of the time. Small children are often left without free will and choices therefore existentialism can not be universally generalized. Sartre went to deep when he claimed that humans are free because we are not. Everyday we learn and experience things we initially did not choose to do, for example humans do not choose to get murdered by some hostile lunatic.

 

So, if you had time to go through what I have collected and could make up your mind, why not participate in the poll as well?:eek2:

[Jay-qu]

all of the above, I would also have to add desire to procreate, to extend ones legacy through children, this is paramount for any species

[Zythryn]

all of the above, I would also have to add desire to procreate, to extend ones legacy through children, this is paramount for any species

 

I would disagree with this as it is not universally required to be human.

 

I would add survival to my vote but left it off due to the 'and take revenge' which I do not believe is an essential trait of being human. It is a very common one, but not essential IMO.

[Jay-qu]

desire to survive I think does, but not the revenge part

[pgrmdave]

The desire to survive, to procreate, to be curious. I too didn't vote for survive though, because I don't think revenge has anything to do with it.

[ronthepon]

Desire to survive can be seen in the chickens, cows, dogs, cats, ants, and god knows what not. Without it, how can a species with a large and complicated mental working system hope to survive?

 

Further, revenge is very observable in many animals. Slap a stray dog outside my house, and it won't spare you. Do similar things to cats and all.

 

These little traits make us more animal like, than human.

 

In my opinion, what makes us human, is the human society, the human way of living, and most importantly...... the human way of thinking.

 

After all, I won't ever expect a chimpanzee to ever ask itself this question.

 

Oh... and did I forget to mention about the 'homo sapien' thing?

[hallenrm]

Further, revenge is very observable in many animals. Slap a stray dog outside my house, and it won't spare you. Do similar things to cats and all.

 

These little traits make us more animal like, than human.

 

Well said Ron! If this is so, would you call people who are seeking to kill in revenge, animals and not humans?

[Tormod]

Well put, Ron.

 

Innovation is also found in animals (and in nature - it is what evolution is all about, even if it is blind).

 

I'd add adaptability to the list. Humans have a unique ability to adapt, on a per person basis, that is different from animals.

[Jay-qu]

Ok I think I am seeing the difference here, we are talking what sets humans apart from animals :naughty:

 

Well then I think that the survival one is in question, we would have to be the only species that has suicide..

[hallenrm]

So what did you think dear Jay-qu, that I was talking about the essential traits of all living beings? :hyper:

[Jay-qu]

no but all human traits not what makes us human instead of just animal

[Bio-Hazard]

The want to shave, ejaculate, and other because they are the most annoying attributes to keep around.

Man, do I hate shaving..

 

I suppose most things of any living entity belong to existance. Any animal will do what it needs for existance, and this allows it to be called a person. Yet to delve into the philosophical aspects of a person, one would have to say this person lives within this dimension, on this planet, and in this timeline. Living beings procreate or replicate. Robots can do that, too. Robots can do just about anything if programmed. Simple fact. But most animals have fur. They don't really care about having fur. Some humans don't care about having fur. However, the fact remains that humans have societal norms, which can conflict or alter the psyche; thus, leading to a possible physiological change due to the psychology of the person.

 

Thus, a person may shave because his face is itchy. Or the face may be itchy because the psychology belives in social norms or has been altered by societal norms, which then makes the mind change the body to change the mind into thinking about shaving. And making the person itchy. Quite the conundrum.

 

I'd say unintentional flaws caused by abnormal social adapatation.

 

OR ELSE...

 

Woman problems. I don't think other animals got it. You either got it or you don't.

 

Then again, I would say that animals are part of the Matrix. Humans are the only ones who are real. Maybe they aren't. I get a lot of glitchy stuff and deja vu. I sometimes wonder if you're real. I don't think you're real.

[hallenrm]

Jay-qu,

 

To err is human so it is to obfuscate!

[Jay-qu]

Jay-qu,

 

To err is human so it is tp obfuscate!

:)

[Boerseun]

Well, as far as the options in this poll goes, I'd say the "Thirst for knowledge" and curiosity - although curiosity is by no means unique to humans.

 

The thirst for abstract knowledge that has no immediate survival value probably is unique, though. Like, 'what do stars consist of?' kinda knowledge.

[Guadalupe]

Hi! hallenrm :xparty:

 

The essential traits of a human being, is definitely the Soul.

 

 

 

:rolleyes:

[Boerseun]

The essential traits of a human being, is definitely the Soul.

Can you define one?