Are humans animals?

[lilithu]

Oops, I see why you might think that - I forgot about viruses. The order goes viruses, bacteria, plants, bugs, fish, birds, animals, humans.

Fixed!

Do they even teach biology in schools any more?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Do they even teach biology in schools any more?

No, but I learned it from my grandmother. I can do your chart if you tell me where you were born and the date.

 

[Buttons*]

How did we begin to think it? Probably has something to do with emotional signaling, evolutionary traits like tracking, talking, and co-dependancy for society. Maybe some think we are better based on evolution - that we're at the top of most food chains. Humans can actually create new things, build new things, and work together to make things while having individual goals, dreams, and reasons. We are capable of being logical, but we are mostly overrun by emotion.

Some ancient philosophers held that man was the only animal to use logic, but it's not so. (Meaning, I don't think people actually use logic.) Maybe we're the only animals who can use mathematics to such high degrees and maybe we can formulate sentences that discuss logical statements, but we still "know" nothing. (Thank you relativism. )

Anyway, there are hundreds upon thousands of reasons for looking at the difference between humans and animals, and thinking "I'm smarter than this" or "I'm better than this" or "At least I think for myself." While I DON'T think these are good ways at exploring our differences, I do think that we are different, to say the least. We are not better because we still do the same things animals do - eat, ****, sleep, try to stay warm. But we do live life differently than your average animal.

We can gain dominion by domestication. This is also another difference. We don't know of any "lord" that holds dominion over us but nature, which is why nature is inspiring. Some people believe in a God to take that place. Fair enough, I suppose, but it's too much to get into for one single thread.

Was this one ever read?

 

[Gharib]

Statistically speaking, 30 is the minimum sample size needed to see if something's statistically significant. Also, just because there's 100 people, doesn't mean that all of them need to vote, there's also the option of not voting at all.

yes true (i'm only saying this because i don't get the point, whats with the first line?), but if you relate this to YMG's statement i think it makes good sense.

 

[Gharib]

Was this one ever read?

i don't think so, even now that i'm replying i still didn't read it, sorry

 

[Gharib]

Was this one ever read?

ok, now i read it. and to be honest i don't really understand it. but i know what you are saying. so can i ask you to just summerise your points and if you want me or someone else to respond then we might do that.

by the way are humans animal, simply beause we eat, drink, walk, poop etc... if so, the we are also plants, they feed, they breathe, they live, they die etc.... do you agree with this, based on your statement on similarities?

 

[YmirGF]

by the way are humans animal, simply beause we eat, drink, walk, poop etc?

Um no, Eselam. Humans are animals because they are a type of mammal. It isn't any more complex than that. Is this difficult to understand?

 

[Buttons*]

ok, now i read it. and to be honest i don't really understand it. but i know what you are saying. so can i ask you to just summerise your points and if you want me or someone else to respond then we might do that.

Ok, I'll try to do that.

by the way are humans animal, simply beause we eat, drink, walk, poop etc... if so, the we are also plants, they feed, they breathe, they live, they die etc.... do you agree with this, based on your statement on similarities?

well, biologically we don't photosynthesize either - which is the main way plants get food. If we did, I'd say "Yes!"

I guess you could also argue that we are reptiles based on the fact of eating etc. but this isn't applicable because we aren't cold blooded and we don't have scales (barring some skin diseases.).

We can't qualify as plants or reptiles biologically speaking, but if we could, I still think that people would be biologically something. We aren't outside the realm of nature - as can is obviously seen. We do have a special brain, and we do feel the need to connect with things outside ourselves, so in this way, we aren't "just" animal. (We can't know how animals think, or if they do imagine, but our best guess is that they don't.)

However, I do feel that humans are capable of "not being an animal" because of our very distinct characteristcs. We are able to do things that no other animal can do. It doesn't mean we aren't still animal, it simply means there is a part of us that has transcended (for better or worse) what it is to be "just" animals. I don't think this somehow makes us better than other creatures. I do think that it makes us different.

 

[YmirGF]

I don't think this somehow makes us better than other creatures. I do think that it makes us different.

Different, yes, but there's the rub, as we are only different -- an animal with different skills.

 

[Buttons*]

Different, yes, but there's the rub, as we are only different -- an animal with different skills.

I suppose that's so. But could it also be the case that human capabilities like abstract thought, mathematics, and emotions are rather unique to humans... that in a way make us "less" animal than ordinary animals?

 

[gnomon]

I suppose that's so. But could it also be the case that human capabilities like abstract thought, mathematics, and emotions are rather unique to humans... that in a way make us "less" animal than ordinary animals?

That's what I was thinking but then again felching and the infamous popularity of "Two Girls, One Cup" always seems to knock the whole of humanity to perhaps less than other animals.

 

[Buttons*]

That's what I was thinking but then again felching and the infamous popularity of "Two Girls, One Cup" always seems to knock the whole of humanity to perhaps less than other animals.

Heehee, people like that are just disgusting are they a good basis to judge humans in general?

 

[gnomon]

Heehee, people like that are just disgusting are they a good basis to judge humans in general?

Well, no, but they do get the most attention on the nets.

But not from me.......of course.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

ok, now i read it. and to be honest i don't really understand it. but i know what you are saying. so can i ask you to just summerise your points and if you want me or someone else to respond then we might do that.

by the way are humans animal, simply beause we eat, drink, walk, poop etc... if so, the we are also plants, they feed, they breathe, they live, they die etc.... do you agree with this, based on your statement on similarities?

Didn't pass middle-school biology, eh?

 

[Buttons*]

Well, no, but they do get the most attention on the nets.

But not from me.......of course.

lol, I hope not O_O

Yeah, some people act like animals, don't use their abilities, don't attempt to train the mind... or sometimes just like their 15 seconds of fame. But the core of those desires... I think anyway, is to try and be accepted by the community. Now, with the two girls thing, they will probably never be accepted in normal society, but they will be infamous. They chose to do something outrageous because they knew how other people would react. That decision is not found anywhere else in the animal kingdom as far as I know.

While those girls acted terribly, it was a product of humanity that does transcend other animals. I can't believe I just defended those nasty creatures ... yuck... but as I said, it's part of being human. Reasoning.

 

[gnomon]

lol, I hope not O_O

Yeah, some people act like animals, don't use their abilities, don't attempt to train the mind... or sometimes just like their 15 seconds of fame. But the core of those desires... I think anyway, is to try and be accepted by the community. Now, with the two girls thing, they will probably never be accepted in normal society, but they will be infamous. They chose to do something outrageous because they knew how other people would react. That decision is not found anywhere else in the animal kingdom as far as I know.

While those girls acted terribly, it was a product of humanity that does transcend other animals. I can't believe I just defended those nasty creatures ... yuck... but as I said, it's part of being human. Reasoning.

I think the reasoning capacity of human beings is probably the signifier separating us from other animals especially evoking responses from others. Though the video of the gibbon swinging down and pestering a couple of tiger cubs seems like a similar action.

Maybe it's the capacity to which we carry our reasoning for good or ill. Seeing another human being willingly letting another curb stomp them......I don't think I'll ever see that among other animals. Youtube....sometimes a door into humanity best left closed.

 

[Gharib]

Didn't pass middle-school biology, eh?

never did biology.

 

[Gharib]

Um no, Eselam. Humans are animals because they are a type of mammal. It isn't any more complex than that. Is this difficult to understand?

well it is dificult, you make it sound too easy.

lem me ask you something;

trees are non mamals, there are 4 leged creatures that are not mamals, so are these to speices (trees and no back bone creatures) both of one category? we and animals are s what about them?

this is a very childish example but i would like an answer from somebody.

 

[Gharib]

Ok, I'll try to do that.

thank you.

well, biologically we don't photosynthesize either - which is the main way plants get food. If we did, I'd say "Yes!"

I guess you could also argue that we are reptiles based on the fact of eating etc. but this isn't applicable because we aren't cold blooded and we don't have scales (barring some skin diseases.).

We can't qualify as plants or reptiles biologically speaking, but if we could, I still think that people would be biologically something. We aren't outside the realm of nature - as can is obviously seen. We do have a special brain, and we do feel the need to connect with things outside ourselves, so in this way, we aren't "just" animal. (We can't know how animals think, or if they do imagine, but our best guess is that they don't.)

However, I do feel that humans are capable of "not being an animal" because of our very distinct characteristcs. We are able to do things that no other animal can do. It doesn't mean we aren't still animal, it simply means there is a part of us that has transcended (for better or worse) what it is to be "just" animals. I don't think this somehow makes us better than other creatures. I do think that it makes us different.

ok, straight forward question; are humans animals or not?

in some points you say they are in some they aren't, in some points they are very much like animals in some they are just a little bit. so which one is it. you are confussing me you are giving me both answers but to which one are you actually hanging on too?

 

[Gharib]

I understand that you have to ignore what you dislike, but ignoring the truth does not make it go away.

so childish pictures have a truth in them now? what is it?

What truth are telling people in this thread?

that humans are not animals and anyone who was smart would see this and understand it, i guess we haven't some across someone like that yet

That you believe/think that humans are not in the animal kingdom?

it is not my balief, but the truth, reality.

That you believe/think that humans are in a kingdom all their own?

it is not because i believe in it, but because it actually is true.
we aren't in an animal kindomg, because we are not animals. how many anaimals have you seen wearing clothes, and how many humans have you seen living in the jungle and eating bugs.

This is nothing more than your you belief which has no basis in science.

it is not my belief, already mentioned it.

The truth is, you are free to make whatever claims you like.

thats right, thats why i am saying that you guys should not tell others that humans are animals, if you believe it, thats fine, you can call your self an animal, but do not call me one, and do not try to convince people that they are an animal.

However, I am also free to tell you that your belief is nothing more than your belief.

thats your oppinion and i'm not going to deny you the freedom to make one, but it is not my belief simply because i say so.

Actually he did.
He said it was refreshing to have a neighbor that did not think he was a terrorist simply because he is from Pakistan.

it was wrong of him to say that, one reason being he can't read your mind.

I am merely agreeing with the scientific community.

which scientific community might that be, the RF one?

What are you talking about?
You ever watch the Discovery Channel?
How about Animal Planet?

there is no peace and harmony as long as man is in controll. we heve destroyed that.

If you did you would understand that animals are all the time killing and/or eating each other.

of course, thats part of life. we too eat animals. but if YOU actually understtod those channels, you would know that humans kill animals just for the funn, and not always, for food, meaning we are the destroyers of peace and harmony for killing out of fun, which other animal do you see killing others just for fun, you must have an answer to this because you watchs the "discovery channel and the animl planet"

I agree.
I would not call what you are doing "debating" either.

yes right again, i'm advising.