What is uniquely human? What are the differences we have that distinguish us from a lowly beast? The answer may surprise you, as we share more of the traits that we thought were uniquely human. To show what truly makes us human, I will be comparing and contrasting human and animal traits by their physical, metnal, and emotional capabilities. To do this I will be answering that most common questions that humans think we have over animals, such as, manipluation of the environment, consciousness, language, imagination, creativity, and morality. Physcially humans and other organisms have clear similarities and differences. One such similarity is a commom ancestry. The first signs of life appeared around 4.1 to 3.7 billion years ago. Over time …show more content…
Our intellegence is linked to the size and shape of our brains. The human mind has evolved to be unique among animals of our size. It is on average three pounds or 2% of our body weights, and is more densely packed with neurons making language and tool making possible. This came to be from mutations in the brain 's gene expression in the brain affecting new cell connections in the brain and even brain metabolism. Other animal brains work pretty closely to how our own work. The difference comes from what regions of the brain are bigger, and the porportions of the brain to body mass. A bigger brain is needed for a bigger creature because it needs to process the information. As stated above we have a uniquely bigger brain than is needed for basic functions, which is what allows for our intellegence. When an animal has more intelligence it is less likely to have many inate behaviors also known as instincts. Humans only have inate behaviors called reflexs, only occuring when a certian stimulus is present. For example when you touch a hot object and pull away. Human behavior is learned and influenced by our experiences, where as, other animals have these intincts and all members of that species will follow them for basic life functions. Since animals act on instincts it brings up a interesting question. Do animals have consciousness? One arguement is that animals do not have a conscioussness and …show more content…
This however is wrong with what we currently know today. It is believed that morals have developed within many species to help regulate behavior. This can encourage the social group to co-operate instead of fighting. Morals are different for each species, and human behavior is just a evolution of a core set of psychological tendencies and capacities. The closer a species is evolutionary to humans the more we can see morals like ours, as they must of come from somewhere. Some cases show that many mammals are capable of empathy and sympathy. Elephants in 2003, released a small herd of antelope from a enclorsure in South Africa, giving us a rare example of animals showing empathy for another species thought to be exclusive to humans. Rats in a lab when shown that their actions of eating food will lead to a electric shock to another rat they will stop eating. Rats have even been observed helping others get food, if they themselves have been helped by another rat. This behavior of give-and-take was previously thought to be limited to primates. It becomes apparent when looking closely at animals that they too have their own moral codes and
Knowledge is everything, it's what separates humans from animals. It allows us to question the world around us. Another key aspect that separates humans from animals is that each human is unique. We all have different beliefs and ideals that help us explain the infinite amount of questions that this universe has gifted us. In his lecture, Christopher Viney goes over the many shifts in the origin of life and how each time there is a shift people start to adept to the new shift.
From all existing creatures, we humans differ because we are able to use our brain to make decisions. In
According to National Geographic, scientists have sequenced the genome factor of the chimpanzee and found that humans are 98.5% similar to the ape species. The chimpanzee is our closest relative in the animal kingdom; however, some people are not aware of our resembling traits with chimpanzees. Jane Goodall’s, In the Shadow of Man, describes some similar traits humans and chimpanzees have such as their facial expressions and emotions, use of tools, and diet.
This poses a problem for the essentialist view because if the boundaries of a species cannot be concretely defined, if the definition of which organisms constitute the human species and when it started is not clear and in flux, how then is it possible to determine a set of traits unique to only humans, or any other species? In addition, if we are indeed all connected via the tree of life, it is likely that species share characteristics with each other, that qualities that may have been thought as uniquely human are in fact also observed in other species. This thought reflects what is in reality observed, common facets considered to be of human nature such as reasoning, use of language, and a sense of morality have been observed in other species. Moreover, there exist those we categorize as humans who do not share these traits. In sum, the essentialist view of human nature does not at all lend itself well to the modern understanding of evolutionary biology. However this does not mean that human nature ceases to exist, in fact, the nomological view accommodates modern evolution and combats arguments against any existence of human
This article, titled Common Ground, written by Barbara Smuts, points out the main differences between humans and apes, such as our upright stance, large brains, and capacity for spoken language and abstract reasoning. However, the main point of this article is to emphasize the many similarities that apes share with us. Smuts goes into great detail about how human social and emotional tendencies are very reflective in the family of apes.
“The scientific study of how humans developed did not begin until the 1800s in Europe. Until that time, people relied on religious explanations of how humans came into existence. Starting in the 1500s a scientific revolution began to sweep Europe. Thinkers started using scientific methods and experiments to try to better understand the world and the creatures living in it. Eventually these methods were turned to the question of human origins” (The Nature Of Human Origins, 1). Earth made it possible for species to change over time because Ancient Earth provides ability to plenty of time.The Homo Sapien a is very complex creature. The species started off very simple by living in caves and surviving with little food and then later evolved into a species that were able to do many more complex things. The first species was Sahelanthropus tchadensis They were one of the most simple humans in that time period and on. They had very small skulls compared to Homo Sapiens today and their motor skills were just the same. We have evolved and changed for the better both mentally and physically. The Evolution of Homo Sapiens started off simple, such as the Neanderthals, and now we are the most advanced species to ever walk the planet so far.
...res, different biological and cultural events, and the fluid evolutionary nature of living organisms. Homo sapiens is the only species that is able to unveil its origins and evolutionary path through research and discoveries. Mankind posses a unique intellect that sets apart our species from other organisms on the evolutionary timescale. However, our extensive knowledge can come with consequences. Humans have the power to influence the evolution of virtually all other species in the world. Humans are capable of so much, such as extreme good and extreme evil. If the evolutionary clock was to be rewound, the chances of the first living cell evolving into similar modern humans that inhabit the globe today would be less than 0.01%. Humans today are constantly discovering new things. Perhaps someday humans will figure out the precise line of evolution for the species.
... drawn. What makes us human? Through the examination of human evolution, both biological adaptations and cultural adaptations which are distinct to humans can be recognized. Biologically speaking, humans are unique in that they are bipedal, they have larger brain sizes, and longer leg length. When examining the cultural evolution of humans we have a complex language system, we live in communities, engage in symbolic behavior, and act through emotional impulses. While we are often considered to be superior to all other animals, it is important to recognize that while we are animals, we have very distinct characteristics and adaptations that separate us both biologically and culturally from all other animals.
According to Darwin and his theory on evolution, organisms are presented with nature’s challenge of environmental change. Those that possess the characteristics of adapting to such challenges are successful in leaving their genes behind and ensuring that their lineage will continue. It is natural selection, where nature can perform tiny to mass sporadic experiments on its organisms, and the results can be interesting from extinction to significant changes within a species. Human beings are no exception to biological evolution. Like other organisms around the world, humans have significantly changed over time and have developed all sorts of diverse characteristics.
What makes us humans what we truly are; from our appearance to our habits; and our preferences. A list of questions that will never end. Do we born this way; nor did the environment shapes us; do we born to this world with an existing knowledge of everything is taught and learn? Those questions are one of the biggest debate in the field of developmental psychology: Nature vs, Nurture.
Galef suggested that this behaviour was due to social learning. Given the time period, of 5 years, it is possible that other monkeys had learned this potato washing behaviour by themselves instead of imitating Imo. The observers in this experiment provided the sweet potatoes, and would pay more attention to the monkeys that washed the potatoes. This attention would be a reinforcer of the behaviour causing other monkeys to copy it. Although there is not enough supportive evidence for imitation, some behaviours ca... ...
What does it mean to be human? Sure, one must have the usual physical features such as fingers, eyes, arms, hands, feet, etc., but what does it really mean? Must the human be able to speak? To take upon the actions of themselves? Whatever it means, it can be interpreted in any way from anyone. The physical attributes of any human can be compared to those of our evolutionary ancestors. However, it is possible to believe that there are many characteristics that make a human, but only six define the true, ideal human.
Humans have the unique capacity to assess their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. They want to learn about their nature, and have an intrinsic need to better themselves. Humans are naturally ambitious, some more than others. This natural curiosity has advanced our species. From creating fire to natural human rights and laws, to the internet and modern medicine, human beings have used this self-reflection to better their species, protecting their own and taking the natural instinct for survival into overdrive. We can cure many previously fatal diseases, build large civilizations founded upon laws, and even eat chemically altered, genetically bettered produce. This purely human type of thought sets us apart from other animals. Many non-human animals cannot recognize themselves in the mirror, and even the ones that have the capabilities of self-awareness do not yet understand the notion of self-assessment. Animals do not know how to set up rules and regulations, as their instinct is more important to them. They are not as flexible in their thoughts and habits. Humans, on the other hand, use self-reflection to think about their instincts, making us special by allowing us to reflect on our thoughts. This self-reflection is a gift, and we should use it to better our
Animals can be perceived in many different ways. While some humans consider animals to be mindless machines programmed with instinct, others view them as spiritual creatures capable of coherent thought and emotions. I feel that animals are somewhere in the middle. Although they rely heavily on instinct, the ability to feel emotions shows that their mental capacity is not far from that of a human.