Are human beings animals?

[columbus]

Scientifically, humans are considered animals, but many religions and faiths would disagree. What's your opinion?

I voted for in the middle.

Of course, our bodies are the descendents of those creatures that successfully reproduced over the last few billion years. And it shows in our physiology and instinctive behavior. But we are also capable of augmenting our bodies and behaviors in a way that other animals don't do, generally. Why we are capable of that and other creatures don't is still quite the mystery.

So if the question is only "Are humans animals", the answer is yes. But if the question is "Are humans only animals", then the answer is no.
Tom

 

[Akivah]

Scientifically, humans are considered animals, but many religions and faiths would disagree. What's your opinion?

We are a type of animal. We share the characteristics of consuming food for digestion, the power of voluntary motion, breathing oxygen in the respiration process, and so forth. However we are distinguished from the rest of the animals because we have a soul (a non-physical Divine Spark from G-d).

 

[metis]

However we are distinguished from the rest of the animals because we have a soul (a non-physical Divine Spark from G-d).

And how can we be certain that others don't?

BTW, I can prove to you that at least cows have souls, and that's because I have a pair of shoes made of cowhide, and at the bottom of these shoes is a soul. Proof you're wrong!

 

[David T]

I'm not sure where you came to such a strange idea. Then again, it's rather hard to understand what you are saying at all given this post doesn't follow proper grammatical conventions.

I most certainly know where you came up with such strange ideas!!! I feel like Robin Williams talking to the introduction to poetry expert of the book. Kierkegaard is difficult.

 

[atanu]

Scientifically, humans are considered animals, but many religions and faiths would disagree. What's your opinion?

Ego-mind-body wise we are evolved animals that can self reflect to the source of "I" and introvert.

But, I believe, that all is divine.

 

[sun rise]

Yes humans are animals. We are also more than animals having a fully developed consciousness.

 

[ChristineM]

Scientifically, humans are considered animals, but many religions and faiths would disagree. What's your opinion?

Yes, dna/genetics does not lie.

 

[columbus]

Yes, dna/genetics does not lie.

But are we only animals?
It doesn't seem to me that we are. That's the problem I have with the OP.
It implies a clear bright line, when I don't think that there is one.
Tom

 

[Fool]

Scientifically, humans are considered animals, but many religions and faiths would disagree. What's your opinion?

humans are animals that have the ability to think in abstract more than some others. they have the capability of overcoming their animal instinct and conditions with abstract answers.

 

[ChristineM]

Yes humans are animals. We are also more than animals having a fully developed consciousness.

Consciousness is a difficult concept to define, it can be argued that most life that has a nervous system is consciousness to some degree,

 

[ChristineM]

But are we only animals?
It doesn't seem to me that we are. That's the problem I have with the OP.
It implies a clear bright line, when I don't think that there is one.
Tom

Pretty much, clever animals, one of the few specie's of animal with self awareness but not the only species.

 

[columbus]

Pretty much, clever animals, one of the few specie's of animal with self awareness but not the only species.

Like I said, somewhere in the middle.
There's a difference between humans and chimps, orcas, and elephants.
I don't claim to know what it is, precisely. But it's there and I do know that it is.
Tom

 

[ChristineM]

Like I said, somewhere in the middle.
There's a difference between humans and chimps, orcas, and elephants.
I don't claim to know what it is, precisely. But it's there and I do know that it is.
Tom

A higher Intelligence.

 

[blü 2]

Scientifically, humans are considered animals, but many religions and faiths would disagree. What's your opinion?

I see no case for us to be plants, arthropods, molluscs or slime molds.

We're in Kingdom Animalia ─ vertebrates, placental mammals, primates, genus Homo, species sapiens, subspecies sapiens.

 

[Enoch07]

Scientifically, humans are considered animals, but many religions and faiths would disagree. What's your opinion?

Scientifically humans are animals.

But we are distinctly different than any other animal, so we are in a unique position that no other animal can come close to.

 

[blü 2]

The term "animal" applied to humans carries too much baggage to be synonymous or useful.

I'd have thought that on the contrary the term 'animal' usefully reminds us of truths that many find it convenient not to look at.

Besides, the statement 'Humans are not animals' is simply untrue.

 

[Jesster]

Of course we're animals

 

[Guy Threepwood]

I voted no,

Of course we can make the academic/semantic argument that we are, e.g. if you had to fit humans into the plant or animal kingdom...

But in useful, practical reality, we all know we are distinct from animals

 

[blü 2]

I voted no,

Of course we can make the academic/semantic argument that we are, e.g. if you had to fit humans into the plant or animal kingdom...

But in useful, practical reality, we all know we are distinct from animals

In that we don't breed by copulation, feed our young on excreted milk, need to eat or sh*t, go round in herds, prey on other species and each other, stuff like that, right?

 

[Hockeycowboy]

I voted no,

Of course we can make the academic/semantic argument that we are, e.g. if you had to fit humans into the plant or animal kingdom...

But in useful, practical reality, we all know we are distinct from animals

Hamburger, anyone?