What separates man from beast?

[Bii]

Recently (well, within the past 12 months) I watched a programme about the genetic similarities between humans and chimpanzees. Apparently we share 97% of our DNA with chimps, and the programme (in a very tongue in cheek way) was campaigning to give chimps human rights.


Whilst it was not particularly serious it does raise the interesting question - what makes humans human? What is it, in your view, that separates man from beasts?Is that 3% crucial, or a minor distinction?

I have my own views (which I'm not sharing yet!) - what do you think?

[BlueSkyGB]

My morning coffee......LOL.....:) :D :)

[kathycf]

...what makes humans human? What is it, in your view, that separates man from beasts?I
Perhaps the short answer is a prediliction for posting in forums. The long answer may have to do with a more developed brain, and the ability for complex thought. But, I am just speculating. :)


My morning coffee......LOL.....:) :D :)

Same here! :lol:

[Taliesin]

We quite like the saying: the difference between a horse and a human is the intellect, although sometimes it is the saddle.

Being more serious, though: abstract thinking.

[Lote-Tree]

I would say the ability conceive of things that do not exist.

[andave_ya]

imagination, and (sorry, Lote :p) the ability to create and comprehend art. Not to mention, we are made in God's own image.

[kandaurov]

In a word, our cortex.

In a sentence, we have a theory of mind (we can empathise and sympathise with others; pretty much read their minds and act according to that knowledge); we have a grammatic language (which can communicate trivial information and talk about the process of talking, being both of these properties unique to the human system of communication); and we can think about the future, think about death, think about lives beyond this life, and actually give a damn about what our 'purpose' is.

I like this topic a lot, good thread, Bii :)

(this is pretty whacky, but I actually talked with some collegues of mine today about how amazing it is that we share 99% of the DNA with mice. Who would have known?!)

[Lote-Tree]

imagination, and (sorry, Lote :p) the ability to create and comprehend art. Not to mention, we are made in God's own image.

If a chimp uses a box to stand on to reach bananas then that would be imagination won't it? because chimp would have imagined himself standing on it to reach the fruit?

And some animals like magpie and bowers decorate their dwellings with trinkets - that could be classed as art?

So Ability to conceive of things that do not Exist must be the unique thing we have?

But why sorry Andave?

[Video Drone]

Intelligence, or abstract mind, or whatever you call it, in any case, our ability to think chains of thought, to surpass the basic instincts, to feel is our difference. Which is why man must never be compared to beast on an emotional level, yet at the same, we should not forget that we are still children of nature.

And I don't believe in evolution since there is few proof for it, and intelligence is something chimpanzee never had, I don't think we evolved from them, maybe we are just based on them.

[Lote-Tree]

Intelligence, or abstract mind, or whatever you call it, in any case, our ability to think chains of thought, to surpass the basic instincts, to feel is our difference. Which is why man must never be compared to beast on an emotional level, yet at the same, we should not forget that we are still children of nature.


Chimps and Dolphins are quite intelligent.



And I don't believe in evolution since there is few proof for it, and intelligence is something chimpanzee never had, I don't think we evolved from them, maybe we are just based on them.

Common mistake. We did not evolve from Chimps. We share a common ancestor with them.

[kandaurov]

I hope this doesn't stray to a evolutionism/creationism debate. I'm sure we can debate this matter without having this thread moved to the "Religion Texts" section :)

[andave_ya]

If a chimp uses a box to stand on to reach bananas then that would be imagination won't it? because chimp would have imagined himself standing on it to reach the fruit?

And some animals like magpie and bowers decorate their dwellings with trinkets - that could be classed as art?

So Ability to conceive of things that do not Exist must be the unique thing we have?

But why sorry Andave?


Not imagination but instinct -- the easiest way to get to the food the chimp wants.
Magpie decorations are a way to attract mates, I'm assuming.
And sorry because I was bringing in art after your art survival thread. :redface:

[Lote-Tree]

Not imagination but instinct -- the easiest way to get to the food the chimp wants.
Magpie decorations are a way to attract mates, I'm assuming.
And sorry because I was bringing in art after your art survival thread. :redface:

define instinct

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli; "the spawning instinct in salmon"; "altruistic instincts in social animals"

imagination
the ability to form mental images of things or events; "he could still hear her in his imagination"

So did chimp use instinct or imagination to get to the bananas?

[ennison]

What about the genetic difference between humans and turnips? Not as big as you think. I say the humble turnip deseves consideration both for its humility and the close resemblance many bare to certain people's fizzogs

[Video Drone]

Chimps and Dolphins are quite intelligent.

Common mistake. We did not evolve from Chimps. We share a common ancestor with them.
Their intelligence is a joke compared to ours. I don't see them building civilizations or doing anything of the sort.

Same difference, the point is, we still evolved, which I consider rather ridiculous.

[Redzeppelin]

We have a rational brain, one able to abstract and one able to contemplate its own existence. More importantly, we have the sense of morality - of ought, something that animals do not.

[kathycf]

I hope this doesn't stray to a evolutionism/creationism debate. I'm sure we can debate this matter without having this thread moved to the "Religion Texts" section :)
Good point, Mr K.


What about the genetic difference between humans and turnips? Not as big as you think. I say the humble turnip deseves consideration both for its humility and the close resemblance many bare to certain people's fizzogs
We are so much on the same wavelength about this. Turnips are extremely wonderful yet humble things.

[BibliophileTRJ]

I remain unconvinced that there IS a separation.

We are all beasts.

[papayahed]

We can drive cars.

[Lote-Tree]

We can drive cars.

And monkeys have piloted spacecrafts :-)

[BlueSkyGB]

Monkeys can roller skate.....:p

I'm jealous, because I cannot.

[papayahed]

And monkeys have piloted spacecrafts :-)


Piloted? or went along for the ride?

Of course there is a flaw in my thinking since not all humans drive cars.

[Lote-Tree]

Piloted? or went along for the ride?


They twiddled some buttons on the journey. That's good enough.



Of course there is a flaw in my thinking since not all humans drive cars.

And yes and some drive terribley badly and we don't called them chaps ;-)

[kiobe]

Recently (well, within the past 12 months) I watched a programme about the genetic similarities between humans and chimpanzees. Apparently we share 97% of our DNA with chimps, and the programme (in a very tongue in cheek way) was campaigning to give chimps human rights.


Whilst it was not particularly serious it does raise the interesting question - what makes humans human? What is it, in your view, that separates man from beasts?Is that 3% crucial, or a minor distinction?

I have my own views (which I'm not sharing yet!) - what do you think?

The ability to use a cell phone, which excludes me.

[Unbeliever]

I've lately come to think that perhaps nonhuman animals don't remember their dreams, or even that they have them. That may be one thing that separates us from them, if it's true. I don't know, though, since some humans claim to not remember their dreams.

Here are some examples of what animals might dream about:
What Animals Dream (http://nedmartin.org/amused/what-animals-dream)

[Taliesin]

We can drive cars.

We can't.

[bazarov]

My friend once said: We have a thumb and they don't.
So now we can turn pages, use fork, open the door, open the bottle, hold something in our hand and use it with total control...