what makes us any different from animals?
By medicguy
@medicguy (307)
Pakistan
August 13, 2008 11:25pm CST
Yes, I know we can be considered too in an Animal Kingdom but that is not my point at this very moment. What I am talking about are basic instincts? You know the laws of the jungles and such. So now that we are on the same page. Let's begin this discussion.
According to me, what makes us different from the rest of the animal kingdom is not the intelligence, is not the way we can express ourselves to one another because certain animals have developed a better way of communicating anyways that suits their purpose well. It is not even that we are physically fit to battle or defend ourselves against predators, and perhaps, if such a fight even existed, our human race would go extinct instantly.
Then, what makes us different? Yes all of these things mentioned above makes us very different from rest of the animals but what makes us superior or to make sense, better?
I believe that it is our conscience, our way of reasoning, logic, our sense of morality, the way we have freedom to pick what is right and wrong for ourselves. Agreed that we have basic instincts too but what makes us different is the part that we, as humans, have the ability to suppress such primitive urges. Otherwise, we would be rather living in jungle with laws that are broken more often than made.
What is your take on this?
2 people like this
5 responses
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
14 Aug 08
I think the difference between humans and other animals is that we have the capacity for evil. Animals act on instinct - food, shelter and survival, basically. We have feelings such as jealousy, superiority, and ego. It is ego which causes most problems in the world - our country is better, our religion is better - our nationality is better. We are unable to allow other races to live happily - we want what they have, and we are willing to overpower others in order to get it. In a way, it probably IS a primitive urge to rise above others and be 'alpha male' - but in the end, it will bring the human race unstuck.
1 person likes this
@medicguy (307)
• Pakistan
14 Aug 08
Wow my friend, you have touched the very essence of this discussion. It is what makes us humans, our capacity to overpower our basic instincts. Yes, first of all, we need to fill our basic needs that is food, shelter etc... Animals would just be happier if they can get through the day without being subjected to the Survival of the Fittest law.
Once our way of thinking and morality becomes corrupted, which is happening more than often these days, then we start seeing wars, disagreements, evilness, greed and atrocities, which could have been avoided at the very first place in the beginning.
As for your point on 'alpha male', I tend to see human race as 'innocent' and 'naive' . I strongly believe that it is the media and the higher authority figures above who influences our way of thinking and our actions in general. Once we start to liberate us from such external influences, we will emerge as better, saner and peaceful individuals. I always yearn for that day.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
14 Aug 08
i believe that the first thing that makes us different from animals is we are created according to God's image and we are the only creation that God created according to His image... that makes us higher and more worthy compare to God's other creations like animals and natures... also, in the Bible it is stated that God wants us to rule over all of His other creations such as animals, natures and the universe... hence, humans is the only creation as well that have religious spirit deep inside their hearts and unless they find God and have a personal relationship with Him, their souls will never be fulfilled... this is what i think... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@medicguy (307)
• Pakistan
15 Aug 08
As a Muslim myself, I believe in the one and true God too, Allah (SWT). I believe that Mankind was given a special place in this universe, as you yourself had mentioned and that is something that makes us unique nonetheless. I believe that God has distinguished us from other of His creations by breathing His own spirit into all the humanity. This selective and preferential handling of us humans have therefore resulted us in having freedom to make our own decisions and along with that, creative knowledge with which we can rationally reason with ourselves and our surroundings.
Thank you for leaving such a beautiful feedback. God Bless!
@sagittar (107)
• Malta
14 Aug 08
I think like you, it is our conscience, our way of logical reasoning. our sens of morality but I do not agree at all about that we have freedom to pick what is right and wrong for our selves, I think that annimals have that ability too, certian annimals have it, like dogs and cats, those two types of annimals have the ability to distinguish from good and evil sometimes.
I agreed to that we have a better ability than annimals to supress primitve urges, but not every humans have that abilities sometime certian annimal are more better than certians humans. but overall humans are better.
@medicguy (307)
• Pakistan
14 Aug 08
Yes, i have to say that even though we, as humans, have the ability to control our primitive urges, we, unfortunately, succumb to our inner animal-like attributes. However, when you mentioned that even cats and dogs have morality, there i would like to slightly differ. That is something called conditioning. They learn from their mistakes. It is just part of their basic instinct that is to survive. And even, if we can take such a quality from animals to avoid our previous mistakes, that too can help us progress peacefully as a single whole human race. But alas, we keep on repeating our mistakes over and over again.
@tapnaroy12 (875)
• India
14 Aug 08
Hi medicguy
Yes, I do agree that its our conscience which makes us different from animals. but one point must be noted that, as you have already mention in another way, this conscience is not equally active in all human beings. Those, who lacks an active conscience, are nearer to animalistic character. Isn't it?
1 person likes this
@medicguy (307)
• Pakistan
14 Aug 08
Yes you understood quite rightly. It is the conscience that makes us human more than anything else. As soon as we tend to overlook that and neglect our inner voice, we become no different than animals. It is our morality that sets us apart. Thank you for having the same opinion as mine and participating in this discussion to make it more interesting. May you have a great day friend!
