Are humans special or are we nothing more the mere rabbits

[hitchhiker]

I wonder if man is something special in this world or are we just merely as special as rabbits or any other animal for that. What I am saying, is man special in the way are we able to truely concieve the meaning of life or are we just ignorant for thinking that we can. The rabbit I am talking about is the simpale creature that goes through life wanting nothing more then to reporduce and just go through life eating and having sex eating and having sex. No questions about life no thoughts or evening careing to think about itor better yet they know that they have no ablilty to understand the conseption of life so why insult who ever started it by thinking they can. So what are we, are we special by haveing the ability to undestand life or are we stupid for even thinking we can are we jsut as important as rabbits.

[Virgil]

Well the last time I checked I was typing on a computer using an alphabet and a coherent language, sitting on a cushion chair, inside a building with walls and doors and windows, and outside were cars driving by and airplanes flying over head. Other than man, what animal can create such things? I've heard this argument that man is just another animal. The real human animals (jackasses really) are those that believe such an argument.

[cuppajoe_9]

I've heard this argument that man is just another animal. The real human animals (jackasses really) are those that believe such an argument.

I don't see why the two positions are mutually contradictory. Humans are unique animals, but we're certainly animals.

To answer the original question, our grasp on the meaning of life may not be perfect, but we're certainly well ahead of rabbits in that respect (despite the preocupation both species have with food and sex).

[Virgil]

I don't see why the two positions are mutually contradictory. Humans are unique animals, but we're certainly animals.

To answer the original question, our grasp on the meaning of life may not be perfect, but we're certainly well ahead of rabbits in that respect (despite the preocupation both species have with food and sex).

Well obviously any living thing the way we have catagorized it is either a plant or an animal. But the difference between our closest seeming animal is so far and away distant that I maintain we are our own catagory. It is not even close. I maintain that we have artificially catagorized in this dual mode. And so it seems that way. The next time I see a chimp not just use a computer, but design it, make the components, and put it together so it works, then I'll concede the point.

As to your flawed logic ("I don't see why the two positions are mutually contradictory"), humans are also made of carbon, but we're not rocks. Or do you think we are?

[cuppajoe_9]

As to your flawed logic ("I don't see why the two positions are mutually contradictory"), humans are also made of carbon, but we're not rocks. Or do you think we are?

an‧i‧mal  /ˈænəməl/
–noun
1. any member of the kingdom Animalia, comprising multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli: some classification schemes also include protozoa and certain other single-celled eukaryotes that have motility and animallike nutritional modes.

rock1  /rɒk/
–noun
1. a large mass of stone forming a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like.
2. Geology.
a. mineral matter of variable composition, consolidated or unconsolidated, assembled in masses or considerable quantities in nature, as by the action of heat or water.

If your definition of 'rock' is 'anything made even partly of carbon', then yes, human beings are rocks. The point is that any definition of the word 'animal' that includes apes and dolfins and insects and iguanas and parrots but not humans is a bizzare one.

[Virgil]

If your definition of 'rock' is 'anything made even partly of carbon', then yes, human beings are rocks. The point is that any definition of the word 'animal' that includes apes and dolfins and insects and iguanas and parrots but not humans is a bizzare one.

Yes, see. It's all in how you lay down the definitions.

Sorry if I got a little petulant Joe. This is a little bit of a sore subject for me. Perhaps I'm a throw back to the Renaissance, but whether through God or by chance, I believe that man is the pinnicle of earthly creations.


The gap between man and any other living thing is so immense that to lump them together is silly to me.

[Nightmare9870]

It doesn't matter if we understand/think we understand the meaning of life, what makes humans special is the fact that we have the ability to question the meaning of life in the first place. Last I checked, the rabbit didn't question its existance or wonder why it was put here.

[cuppajoe_9]

Sorry if I got a little petulant Joe. This is a little bit of a sore subject for me. Perhaps I'm a throw back to the Renaissance, but whether through God or by chance, I believe that man is the pinnicle of earthly creations.


The gap between man and any other living thing is so immense that to lump them together is silly to me.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinions (and I've heard crazier ones).

Consider this, if you will: a tapeworm and a dolphin surely have less in common than a monkey and a person, but I don't think anybody would hesitate to call both dolphins and tapeworms animals.

[Invictus]

So what are we, are we special by haveing the ability to undestand life or are we stupid for even thinking we can are we jsut as important as rabbits.

Of course we are special. Unless I've forgotten the meaning of the word. However, it is clear that we do not ‘understand’ life, as far as I am concerned.

The fact that we can even question makes us ‘special.’

The issue of ‘importance’ is a wholly different topic.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinions (and I've heard crazier ones).


Consider this, if you will: a tapeworm and a dolphin surely have less in common than a monkey and a person, but I don't think anybody would hesitate to call both dolphins and tapeworms animals.

It seems clear that it is possible that the human brain, its consciousness, separates the human from the animal.

“Surely”? Why? I believe you are speaking genetically. Are we thus limited in responsive form?

The mind is what separates us so dramatically, rather than anything genetic.

P.S. Isn't this a philosophical discussion?

[hitchhiker]

Maybe it is that the rabbit knows by instinct that there is no true way to understan life and it is just insulting to the creater (if that is what it is) to even try to concieve the idea and this is not on are we the same as rabbits here on the Earth becuase I am not a idiot that thinks that becuase it is obvuise that we are greater then them but through the eyes what created us(although it could be nothing at all and this whole discusion is futile) we are equal even as we might have computers and segways and the brain to process new ideas of goverment but we still live on this Earth and **** like animals and have the instict just like a ape, dog, or yeah even a rabbit and the other point is what gives us the right to think we can pounder about our existence becuase I am sure it is far more then we can comprehend. or it may be as simple as a cell changing to two then to two then to four,ext.

[Kurtz]

Well the last time I checked I was typing on a computer using an alphabet and a coherent language, sitting on a cushion chair, inside a building with walls and doors and windows, and outside were cars driving by and airplanes flying over head. Other than man, what animal can create such things? I've heard this argument that man is just another animal. The real human animals (jackasses really) are those that believe such an argument.

Aside from the obvious logical fallacies, there is no sound argument whatsoever other than the personal inability to research scientific facts, evolutionary trends, genetic information and many of the other types of data that answer the question asked in the thread. I can only hope that the ignorance that is presented by the refusal to educate the mass public with facts instead of personal opinions and "divine" ignorance can be curbed and redirected in a scientific and logical direction. I also point out the innate superior humanity complex that is used in the last line of the post. It is a classic example of a basic logical fallacy and should not even be considered as an intelligent attempt at an argument. Moreover, I will be more than happy to entertain any of the authors ideas as to why he/she thinks that humans deserve to be put upon a pedestal when being compared to other animals (as long as they are intelligent and not based on the inability for the person to see a different lateral perspective). So please tell us your reasons for being led to believe that man is the pinnacle of earthly creation.

[Bluebiird]

Humans are nothing special at all. We search for the meaning of life, and think we know it. Here's what the meaning of life is. Sex, reproduction, passing on our genes. That's why we exits. That's why anything exist. We struggle to preserve ourselves, but for what? We're all going to die in the end. Humanity will die eventually, given enough time. Our only goal is to survive.
So, knowing this, we are no different to the simple rabbit, or the rat or any other animal.
The rabit has simple problems, which it can't control. It can't decide what predators will want to eat it. It can't decide to get run over by a car. Those things just happen, beyond the rabits control.
We think that we have more problems than they do, but those problems are of our own creation. We created knives and weapons, now we kill each other with them. We created complex jobs and roles and now we strive to get out of them or climb higher.
Humanity must be the laughing stock of the natural world. because we struggle to understand questions like what is the meaning of life, when they already know it. Without a doubt, humans are the dumbest creatures in existance, but they think they are the smartest.

[Kurtz]

"Humans are nothing special at all. We search for the meaning of life, and think we know it. Here's what the meaning of life is. Sex, reproduction, passing on our genes. That's why we exits. That's why anything exist. We struggle to preserve ourselves."

I agree with this view. Personally, I enjoy living in a world that has no "meaning". The absence of any true purpose is what makes anything possible.

[Turk]

Humans are not special, i'm special.

[Orionsbelt]

Certainly at the base level humans are animals. Some animals are strong, others are swift, others somewhat clever. It seems matters of degree. As far as we can discern chimps are aware of each other and themselves, use tools. I have witnessed what I beleive to be this kind of recognition in bears. As Virgil has pointed out however there is empirical evidence which suggests a distinguishing feature. Perhaps not unique but certainly further developed. Characterizing that feature is another matter. Is it manipulation of symbols? Speach? ... or friendship, love etc. Isn't this at the center of the cyclone however. The "spirit" denies the body and the "body" denies the spirit.... or so some are so convinced as to punish one or the other to amazing degrees. (I don't count myself among the proud).