Is Human a kind of animal?

[1213]

I love your special pleading at every turn as a "defense".

But was it not right, without reading the mind, we can't know?

 

[1213]

Well there are plenty of examples of non-human animals solving all sorts of problems, so why would we pass these off as being instinctual behaviours when we wouldn't do this for a child - which often will appear to solve problems in much the same manner?

I think in the case of humans the situation is easier, because we are humans, we can know why we do things, because we can know what happens in our minds.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Please give one example what I have done instinctively, without reasoning and unconsciously?

Blinking, breathing, jumping up when surprised, falling asleep, going hungry, getting angry, falling in love,.............................

Ow, sorry, you only asked one example. Oh well.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

You obviously are not a mind-reader.

I don't have to be.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Thanks, very interesting. Tells that all people are not the same.

All humans are humans. Humans will act like humans. Human instinct is present in every human.
When it isn't, something's wrong.

However, walking faster in rain is not necessary about how wet you get, but how long you have to endure that feeling.

You succesfully missed the point.

 

[Heyo]

Please give one example what I have done instinctively, without reasoning and unconsciously?

Walking. You don't think about where and how you place your feet, it is just hidden from your consciousness most of the time. Most of what you do and why you do it is just on auto pilot.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I think in the case of humans the situation is easier, because we are humans, we can know why we do things, because we can know what happens in our minds.

I'm not sure that is a good enough reason, given that such is more about monitoring and not about behaviours. Just because non-human animals might not have symbolic language doesn't necessarily mean they can't reason - in the sense of visualizing and understanding various outcomes. It just seems odd to call so many non-human behaviours as being instinctual when they are often exist in novel situations and where, in the case of humans, these would not be seen as being instinctual.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

But was it not right, without reading the mind, we can't know?

We can observe behavior just fine and recognize it for what it is.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Please give one example what I have done instinctively, without reasoning and unconsciously?

Here's another fun one.

You stand somewhere and someone out of the blue throws you a ball and says "CATCH" and then you catch it.

Did you "reason" about where you had to place your hands? When to close them to "grab" it?
Did you break out the calculator and use newtonian equations to calculate the path the ball takes depending on the force of the throw, the angle of the throw, corrected for by air resistance, gravity, etc?

Did you think about it AT ALL?
Or did you just intuitively / instinctively in a split second figure it all out without thinking about it?

 

[Valjean]

If we believe atheism is just lack of belief, I don't see it requiring anything. Belief in God requires some kind of effort in thinking department, because one must form some kind of idea what is believed and why. And faith, I think faith means faithfulness, which is loyalty. Believing that God is real does not necessary mean one is loyal. For example Bible tells that even demons believe, but they don't seem to be loyal to God. If theism means belief in God, it is not necessary a faith issue.

Faith is unwarranted belief; belief with little or no evidence. By definition, faith is not rational.
Believers rarely believe because they've critically analysed empirical evidence. They internalize the God premise in early childhood, before they're capable of rational thought or analysis.

Note how Muslim kids usually become Muslims, Sikhs become Sikhs, and Hindus become Hindus -- all with the same objective evidence. People are not "thinking" about their faith. and those who do often realize their beliefs are baseless.

There is no more objective evidence for Christian mythology than there is for ancient Egyptian of Norse myths.

Older definition was, animals were all other living beings than humans. And I believe the difference comes from the state of consciousness, which I think tells, is one acting on insticts or reasoning

So plants and fungi were animals?
The word stems from Latin "anima," meaning breath. I breathe, so does my cat, and the moths flitting around my porch light.

We're animals. It's not complex reasoning or intellectual proficiency that defines the term. Using it to distinguish non-humans from humans is metaphorical, not technical, scientific or even common usage.
Using the term.

 

[Valjean]

I think in the case of humans the situation is easier, because we are humans, we can know why we do things, because we can know what happens in our minds.

Bur current research indicates that we don't.

 

[McBell]

Older definition was, animals were all other living beings than humans. And I believe the difference comes from the state of consciousness, which I think tells, is one acting on insticts or reasoning.

Source please.
I ask because I am curious just how much "older" a definition you are claiming:

animal | Etymology of animal by etymonline

"any sentient living creature" (including humans), from Latin animale "living being,… See origin and meaning of animal.

www.etymonline.com

animal (n.)​

early 14c., "any sentient living creature" (including humans), from Latin animale "living being, being which breathes," noun use of neuter of animalis (adj.) "animate, living; of the air," from anima "breath, soul; a current of air" (from PIE root *ane- "to breathe;" for sense development, compare deer).​

​

A rare word in English before c. 1600, and not in KJV (1611). Commonly only of non-human creatures. It drove out the older beast in common usage. Used derisively of brutish humans (in which the "animal," or non-rational, non-spiritual nature is ascendant) from 1580s.​

 

[Windwalker]

I think instinctive means unconscious action. For me, seeking food, or eating is not unconscious.

I don't think reflex is same as instinctive action.

The impulse to seek food is instinctive. The thoughts about how and where to get it are not. The body "tells" you it's need. It does that instinctively, without you needing to tell it through your active thoughts. "Heart, beat now, now, now, now", etc.

If you don't think something like flinching is instinctive, then what is it?

 

[IndigoChild5559]

I think instinctive means unconscious action. For me, seeking food, or eating is not unconscious.

I don't think reflex is same as instinctive action.

No, it means the decision making is unconscious. We are conscious of our actions if we are not asleep.

 

[YoursTrue]

Walking. You don't think about where and how you place your feet, it is just hidden from your consciousness most of the time. Most of what you do and why you do it is just on auto pilot.

Our brains are somethin', aren't they?

 

[Heyo]

Our brains are somethin', aren't they?

Often tooted as the most complex thing in the universe. That's exaggerated but pretty close. The part of the brain that's not involved with consciousness is able to perform complex tasks like driving just on it's own. Ever had a moment when you realised that you don't know how you got where you are, no memory of the last 10, 20 km? That's because you weren't conscious of your driving. While you were following some daydream, your unconscious brain brought you safely where you are.

 

[Valjean]

Often tooted as the most complex thing in the universe. That's exaggerated but pretty close. The part of the brain that's not involved with consciousness is able to perform complex tasks like driving just on it's own. Ever had a moment when you realised that you don't know how you got where you are, no memory of the last 10, 20 km? That's because you weren't conscious of your driving. While you were following some daydream, your unconscious brain brought you safely where you are.

My brain's no more complex than my cat's; bigger, of course, with a larger prefrontal cortex and more mirror neurons, but basically the same anatomy and physiology.

 

[Heyo]

My brain's no more complex than my cat's; bigger, of course, with a larger prefrontal cortex and more mirror neurons, but basically the same anatomy and physiology.

And it's smaller than an elephant's, has less creases than a dolphin's and a crow beats you in brain mass to body mass ratio.
Let's just say that brains in general are pretty complex and it's pretty impressive what they can do.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

My brain's no more complex than my cat's; bigger, of course, with a larger prefrontal cortex and more mirror neurons, but basically the same anatomy and physiology.

Yes and no. The fact that your cerebral cortex is much larger than a cats gives you an astounding advantage.

 

[sayak83]

Yes and no. The fact that your cerebral cortex is much larger than a cats gives you an astounding advantage.

Bohoo....but can I do this?