Human superiority

[Fluffy]

Humans are not superior to other animals because there is no attribute that we have to a greater extent than animals that we would feel is a fair judgement of superiority if we made same comparison across humanity. For example, we don't consider less intelligent humans to be inferior to more intelligent humans and so we shouldn't consider animals to be inferior for being less intelligent.

Superior to nature? How can a subset be superior to the set of all things?

If the "set of all thing" is well-ordered by superiority then the subset that does not include the least element (most inferior) is superior.

 

[Valjean]

Fluffy makes a good point. There is no physical or sensory attribute that is not exceeded by some non-human animals.

I do think there are some unique hominid attributes that account for our virulence, though:

We have more mirror neurons than other animals. We teach our offspring, and they're equipped to learn, to a much greater degree than any other animal. No other animal consciously educates.

While other primates may have opposable thumbs, they still lack the manual dexterity of Hominidae. Compared to hominids, other, (ie: pongid), primates are ataxic.

Most significantly, though, is language. While other animals may be able to communicate important information with various calls, dances, &c, none even approaches the capacity to discuss abstract concepts, plan, theorize and manipulate concepts exhibited by the Naked Apes.

 

[Fluffy]

Fluffy makes a good point. There is no physical or sensory attribute that is not exceeded by some non-human animals.

Actually, my point was that the criteria which we use to judge superiority with regards to humans vs animals would not be seen as valid if instead we judged superiority with regards to humans vs humans.

To take some of your points as examples:
If it is true that teaching offspring implies superiority then it follows that we should treat humans who teach their offspring to a greater extent as superior to those who do not. However, we do not view this as the case and so we cannot use this argument if when we compare humans with animals.

If a person lost his thumbs he would be inferior to people with two thumbs and should be treated accordingly.

If a person is less able to discuss abstract concepts then he is inferior to people who are more able and should be treated accordingly.

etc.

 

[Scott C.]

Humans are distinct from animals in that while we are all creations of God, only humans are God's children. This sets us apart from other animals.

 

[Smoke]

Chimps have better memory than adult humans

In the multiyear study, the team looked at three pairs of chimpanzees -- three mothers and their offspring born in 2000 -- and tested them against nine human university students.

The apes were taught the order of single-digit Hindu-Arabic numerals and then tested on how they could remember them when displayed in random combinations.

The team flashed the numbers "1" through "9" on a screen at various time intervals -- 0.65 seconds, 0.43 seconds and 0.21 seconds.

The numbers were then replaced by blank squares and the subjects were asked to use the touch-screen to mark the original order.

The young chimpanzees performed better than the university students in both speed and accuracy even when they are interrupted by loud noises, the study said.

"Humans were slower than all of the three young chimpanzees in the response," it said. "In general, the performance of the three young chimpanzees was better than that of the three mothers."

The study is the latest confirming the high intelligence of chimpanzees, who are among humans' closest relatives.
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[davidishere]

Humans are superior to animals because we are smarter than them. That's if you define superiority as someone who has a great intelligence.d2567jFSrK

 

[McBell]

Humans are superior to animals because we are smarter than them. That's if you define superiority as someone who has a great intelligence.d2567jFSrK

And how exactly do you measure the intelligence?
I would say that animals are smarter because they have not made themselves dependent on a non renewable resource.

Smarter does not mean superior.
Though I might find it difficult to argue if you were to phrase it something like, "Humans have a superior intellect."

But then I would have to ask how do you know this?

 

[YmirGF]

Unquestionably the human animal has a highly developed ego, but aside from that I am hard pressed to understand why that would make it superior to other animals although being so incredibly egotistical the naked ape may well imagine itself to be superior to all other life forms. In light of the ego-bound (as in muscle-bound) condition of the human animal such rantings should simply be expected.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Unquestionably the human animal has a highly developed ego, but aside from that I am hard pressed to understand ...

Not as hard pressed as other species.

 

[Sunstone]

Humans are distinct from animals in that while we are all creations of God, only humans are God's children. This sets us apart from other animals.

"God's Children" being a metaphor for what?

 

[Scott C.]

"God's Children" being a metaphor for what?

It's not a metaphor. It's literal.

 

[Willamena]

It's not a metaphor. It's literal.

The "literal" meaning references the material world; the non-literal does the same but as symbolic of something spiritual.

What does it mean to be "God's Children"?

 

[Hema]

In a spiritual sense humans and animals are equal.

 

[Hema]

Humans are distinct from animals in that while we are all creations of God, only humans are God's children. This sets us apart from other animals.

Not all religions say that animals are not God's children.

 

[Panda]

Bah humans will become slaves to Panda race with me as your evil overlord muhahahahahaha.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

The puppets of penguins.

 

[Pardus]

We rank the same as ants, because they are the only other animals that make war.

Not all religions say that animals are not God's children.

And those that hold animals in high regard deserve respect.

 

[Valjean]

Chimps make war, but they're pretty much us-with-fur.

 

[MoonWater]

Chimps make war, but they're pretty much us-with-fur.

And they don't make war with weapons that could wipe out the whole planet

 

[standing_alone]

I'd take an average dog over an average human being any day. Dogs are more loyal and caring.