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The human animal
Why do we seperate ourselves?

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The human animal

ManiacJack
aka W

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Posted 08/18/08 - 10:12 AM:	#41
Man measures himself on the basis of intellect; that he does so for all the animals in the kingdom isn't a surprise; suggesting we have a special measure that makes us not superior to the beasts of the land requires more than an attack on the presumption that man is better. Evolution is reactionary to the environment; an acquired trait that does not benefit, does not succeed. Man, as a species, has reacted to the environment on an unprecedented level; why can we not say that this intelligence makes us better? What other metric is there? Why would the metric of intelligence be a false one? How can you argue that other creatures are as intelligent/ cannot be measured by our own intelligence?
Future Tense Passed Relief the Escapist wrote: Bullshit, self-deception, self-aggrandizement. Explains everything, really...

throng
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Posted 08/18/08 - 10:25 AM:	#42
A human is a concience, he has the notion of morality and each chose his own. A human takes his knowledge and applies it as an instrument for greed. A human of free will can kill entire eco systems in futile endeavours. Even if a always lion kills and a deer never kills can lions be seen as immoral respective to deer. This ability for concience, and the ability to be immoral is a trait that seperates us from animals.

kkiiji
Overcome

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Posted 08/18/08 - 04:49 PM:	#43
Actually grazing animals are known to destroy entire ecosystems, they don't hesitate. It simply works out so that the only ecosystems remaining are ones where there are checks on these grazers, and when those checks are taken away, they will in fact destroy the ecosystem out of greed. Anyways, regarding whether we could judge if we're better than other animals based on intelligence, I completely agree that we can. In fact it is a much better value scale compared to evolutionary success, since it's a human value scale and not an unbiased perspective. Anything ethical needs to be biased at least on a humanistic basis, any comparing of different things also needs to be on a humanistic basis, otherwise nothing would matter. I really don't care whether a rabbit cares about intelligence, since I'm not a rabbit. Rabbits may think intelligence is useless and gets in the way of surviving, but I'm a human and I highly value intelligence, that's why I judge rabbits as lower life forms based on their intelligence.
Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says "But Doctor... I am Pagliacci." Good joke, everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum... Curtains.

The Escapist
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Posted 08/19/08 - 12:07 AM:	#44
kkiiji wrote: Sure evolution isn't a person, but it's a concept with a value scale all of its own. Its value scale is whether species get naturally selected or deselected, and how long each species has been naturally selected proves the superiority of that species compared with other species. I had read your post. I don't think what you say is right. Evolution doesn't have a value scale and doesn't result in the ascription of superiority, only we can think that way.

yiming
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Posted 08/19/08 - 06:18 AM:	#45
The Escapist wrote: Foolish nonsense. Our capabilities make us like gods compared to any other animal, and the evidence is everywhere you look. It depends on what you value as a capability. Name me one human capability that makes you like a god compared to, say, a real monkey.

The Escapist
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Posted 08/19/08 - 09:04 AM:	#46
yiming wrote: It depends on what you value as a capability. Name me one human capability that makes you like a god compared to, say, a real monkey. Name one capability where humans don't surpass what a monkey can achieve.

cristina
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Posted 08/21/08 - 07:34 AM:	#47
We are set apart from animals because we have the power of knowledge and with great power comes great responsibility. Ofcourse there are those who abuse their power against animals as well as other humans, but overall humanity is intrusted with the well being of this planet as well as the inhabitants thereof because we have the potential and ability to destory it (which is not in our best interest either being that this is our only home too.) Humans are also set apart because we have developed this sense of purpose and even spirituality. We have created many things and concieved many different ideas and concepts and we are constantly trying to difine ourselves with these occurances. Whereas an animal is perfectly fine with its existance and state of conciousness. But we are always striving to become greater and to maybe even leave a legacy behind. Ofcourse, this in no way suggests or even proves superiority in the least. Respect and caution should be implemented with all life and is by many humans.

Tobias
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Posted 08/21/08 - 07:44 AM:	#48
Why does the ability to destroy the planet (which is quite a recent ability) confer upon us the responsibility of keeping it? I never mind people who want to conserve our planet, by all means, but this is not a sound argument for that.
"The Power of Kant compels you" "The Power of Kant compels you" "The Power of Kant compels you"

The Escapist
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Posted 08/21/08 - 09:14 AM:	#49
As religion dies, various ignorant and sentimental weirdos who might otherwise have become priests or nuns embrace environmentalism as a substitute, complete with guilt, penitence, self-denial and a promise of redemption. Environmentalism is taught in schools in a way which is very reminiscent of religious education. This is where these ideas about responsibility come from Tobias.

cckcckcc
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Posted 08/21/08 - 03:05 PM:	#50
I think the answer to this question lies in only one aspect that we believe humans solely possess, consciousness. Are animals automatons acting only to satiate their needs and live a life that their instincts tell them to? We assume yes because they have smaller brains or interact differently, but many animals in the past and even the present have had larger brains than humans in proportion to their body size and even human cultures interact drastically different. The answer to this question is ultimately the answer to our existance. Do we too believe that we are automatons carrying out the senseless act of living or is there something else, something magical, consciousness. While I cannot speak for psychics, I can say that no other human can know for sure that anyone other than themselves is conscious. Therefor I can easily say that I am different from an animal, but as for the rest of humanity, I am sorry, there is simply no definitive proof that you are. As of now this question is unanswerable I feel, but fear not, it gives us all a short repreive on falling into the hopelessness of existance when we find out that we are all robots that have never actually had a unique thought or action of their own.
"Before enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment - chop wood, carry water." ~Zen Buddhist Proverb I have this sneaking suspicion that I am really God and have invented everyone and everything as a means of fooling myself into not being lonely. I'm not sure if it is working yet.

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