Is Human An Animal?

Sharun

Sharun

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Long time ago I had this debate with my friends whether human is an animal or not. Most of my friends thought that human is a lot more than animal, mainly because it is smarter than other beings and I disagreed with them. What do you think?

I think humans are animals. I haven't ever heard another argument for this "human is not an animal"-statement than the reason above, that it's too wise to be an animal. I think it's a pretty bad argument. Where is it based? If we some day meet aliens that are much more intelligent than we are, does that mean we go back to the animal-category with this logic?
Humans are also classified as mammals and mammals are classified as animals. We have animal-like instincts such as sexual drive (at least most of us) and desire to reproduce for example.

I'd like to know how many of here agrees or disagrees with me. Most of my friends disagreed with me so I'm curious to know if they're just exceptional or is it me? Or do people split 50-50 in this case? Well-explained counter-arguments are welcome too :monster:
 
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The only thing that separates us from animals is self-awareness and being able to resist/control our urges and instincts.

But depending on our environment or a certain situation we may encounter, our "animal" instincts will kick in. Life or death situations and the such.

So I'd say we are animals, we just have a little more control over our lives and what do we.
 
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Hard question.
I lean more towards no because were smarter than animals, we have the inteliigence to make things like telephones, tvs, and even reality television shows ¬_¬

You could say our world is somewhat more civalised than the animal world as we have laws and rules that keep the peace. I use the term peace lightly though because of course there are murderers rapists peadophiles out there. Theyre human, but you could say theyre animals i guess as they dont abide by the 'rules' No laws in the wildlife.

I think im gunna go ahead and say no wer not animals purely beacsue when i think of animals i think of lions, dogs cats etc. I never think of a human. Either way i think its a pointless question because it doesnt really hold any important value.
 
Sharun said:
I haven't ever heard another argument for this "human is not an animal"-statement than the reason above, that it's too wise to be an animal. I think it's a pretty bad argument. Where is it based? If we some day meet aliens that are much more intelligent than we are, does that mean we go back to the animal-category with this logic?
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Only if you asked the more advanced aliens. Our relative intelligence doesn't effect how we are categorised. Most people would argue that humans aren't wiser than animals, we are more civilised. But then again, civilisation is a human construct, it's no 'better' or more 'right' than whatever an animal does. We just think it is because we are inherently biased, just as the west think our ideas about the role of woman in society are more 'correct' than those of people who live in the Middle East.

Technically we are animals, but we are radically different. No other animal, that I am aware of creates something that does not serve a purpose in itself, i.e. no aminal creates art, writes etc. When we use animal as an adjective as Lewis did before it's generally negative, we equate animalistic desires with more primitive desires, murder, rape etc.

I'd say we are animals, we may be smarter, more intelligent etc, but our society is not inherently better, just different. Just like the pack nature of Wolves is different from that of Whales etc.
 
Biologically speaking, living organisms are comprised of animals and plants. The human cell makeup is that of an animals, so the simple answer yes, we are animals.

I suppose we could really beat on the subject of whether we are animals or not in a more realistic sense, rather than biological. I still think of us as animals with the main difference being that humans are more technologically advanced. I would also say that we are more intelligent than other animals, which is the reason why we have civilized much further. Some would even argue that can speak, which makes us more intelligent/civilized, but I do believe that animals communicate with each other by means other than words, which aren't so obvious to humans. But I do believe that animals and humans share a lot of parallels, but humans are the superior animal.
 
No, I think humans are plants.
I think humans are animals because they are classified as mammals, so they are animals. Does it really matter that they're smarter? The only difference is that we can control our actions better, and build lots and lots and lots of things. A dolphin is pretty smart for a mammal, but it's still in the animal catagory. Why would it make a difference for us? I believed it ever since I heard it waaaaaaaaaay back in 3rd grade.
 
Intelligence and tool making/using are not characteristics not attainable by other species. Dolphins and octopi are considered intelligent, and some species (including a particular species of octopi somewhere around Indonesia) can use their own tools like humans do. Just because humans have characteristics exclusive only to themselves does not mean that it is impossible for other species to obtain them. So no, I'd say we're still animals. I can see there are people who want to believe we are something more than mere animals, and that's why they'd say that, but in the end, we are all no different--we're not special in any way, and I think people need to get over that ridiculous pride of thinking they're different from animals.
 
Whenever I see this question coming up, or when some people- like my parents, for instance- mention that humans are not animals, I get fired up. Simply because, my stand is, 'Humans are animals'.

If we approach this from a biological perspective, I guess it's obvious. We're a living thing, blah blah blah. We supposedly evolved from apes... Blah blah. In short, we're animals, and I firmly believe in that.

Then again, some argue that intelligence is what differentiates us from 'animals'. I'd say that every single animal have some form of intelligence. It's just how much intelligence they have. If we are to judge whether or not an organism is an animal based on it's intelligence, then when an alien comes and make us look stupid with gravity-defying technology, we'll really be 'animals'.
 
I think we are animals but we are inhibited by a conscience, courage, and other things. Honestly imagine if no one had morals or laws. We would be just as primitive as most other animals.

Why? We would be having sex with whoever (survival of the fittest), killing whoever (survival of the fittest), and Eating whatever and maybe whoever (survival of the fittest).

Most of the constructs men have put amongst themselves are handed down from generation to generation, imagine if you never learned of a god as a kid. Imagine you never learned your ABC's, 123's, or grammer. Imagine if when you slapped a kid in the face, it was never frowned upon.

So.. Yes we are animals, but we are highly domesticated.
 
Humans are animals. Yes have further thoguth then most ofther species on the planet but we are atill an animal at the core. We reproduce by sex, do not require sunlight to make food ourselves.

Whats very interesting though is that our DNA is much closer to that of mushrooms than monkeys and chimps.
 
blakstang98 said:
I do believe that animals and humans share a lot of parallels, but humans are the superior animal.
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Really? What creature is it polluting the planet? What creature has started wars that have killed many millions? What creature is it that is fully aware of the ever worsening problem of Global Warming and has the power to do something about it, but the mass majority do nothing?

Humans. We're all responsible for these things, so how does this make us 'superior'? I have a great deal of respect for other animals, I say we are animals, but I don't think we're as smart as a lot of us think we are.

A lot of mankind's supposed 'greatest inventions' are ruining the Earth, and we do a lot more damage than any other living thing ever has, we have the choice to make worse decisions, and that is it...

We are animals, that march to the beat of our own drum, so to speak. All very different, some of us do good, but more than anything us humans have made things worse, we just seem to be the most conflicted creature, and probably corrupt.

Many people are creepy, disturbed, and/or frightening beyond words, what one person would do to another, not even going to give an example, there are psychos, terrorists, and other twisted sorts.

I bring this post to a conclusion, but I do get nervous around strangers, I have no idea what they could be like, any one of many types of people, so more than anything I would say I fear people, so I mostly stay at home playing video games or on the Internet...people can't cause me physical harm over the Internet, and video games are harmless. :P
 
Crimson Wolf said:
Really? What creature is it polluting the planet? What creature has started wars that have killed many millions? What creature is it that is fully aware of the ever worsening problem of Global Warming and has the power to do something about it, but the mass majority do nothing?

Humans. We're all responsible for these things, so how does this make us 'superior'? I have a great deal of respect for other animals, I say we are animals, but I don't think we're as smart as a lot of us think we are.

A lot of mankind's supposed 'greatest inventions' are ruining the Earth, and we do a lot more damage than any other living thing ever has, we have the choice to make worse decisions, and that is it...

We are animals, that march to the beat of our own drum, so to speak. All very different, some of us do good, but more than anything us humans have made things worse, we just seem to be the most conflicted creature, and probably corrupt.

Many people are creepy, disturbed, and/or frightening beyond words, what one person would do to another, not even going to give an example, there are psychos, terrorists, and other twisted sorts.

I bring this post to a conclusion, but I do get nervous around strangers, I have no idea what they could be like, any one of many types of people, so more than anything I would say I fear people, so I mostly stay at home playing video games or on the Internet...people can't cause me physical harm over the Internet, and video games are harmless. :P
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First off, I'll say that I'm not an environmentalist, so maybe my thoughts are biased. Animals pollute the planet just as much. Afterall, how often do you see an animal clean up after itself? The waste it leaves behind is highly unsanitary. Wars do exist, but was it a more intelligent animal that created them? The human is intelligent enough to create the armament used for weapons of war, a monkey can't do the same. Global warming in my opinion, is a false project to promote government funding. Whether you believe that or not is your prerogrative, but remember, we have the intellect to stop it if it does exist.

The point I'm getting at is that we are superior in raw intellect. There is no animal on the planet that can do or create the things that we have done. We've certainly done things that were awful in time, but the fact that we have the ability to do such things proves how intelligent we are. And sure, humans can also be the scariest animal around, but I would be less afraid to be face to face with Hitler than a bear, because we aren't the most superior animal phyiscally. But mentally, we most certainly are.
 
blakstang98 said:
And sure, humans can also be the scariest animal around, but I would be less afraid to be face to face with Hitler than a bear
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Not me. X_x Kudos to you for your bravery, then, but I say all those 'armaments' do is blow chunks of the world up, and blast people to bits in the process, which isn't good at all, any which way.

I suppose it isn't unreasonable to say humans are the most intelligent, but I have to say that intelligence is most often misused...

And how do you propose an animal 'clean up after itself'? Clearly they aren't capable of near everything people are, that much is certain, there are things they are limited to being able to do, there's a lot they can't just deal with, like people could, so that isn't quite fair to say, imho, but that's just me.
 
blakstang98 said:
First off, I'll say that I'm not an environmentalist, so maybe my thoughts are biased. Animals pollute the planet just as much. Afterall, how often do you see an animal clean up after itself? The waste it leaves behind is highly unsanitary. Wars do exist, but was it a more intelligent animal that created them? The human is intelligent enough to create the armament used for weapons of war, a monkey can't do the same. Global warming in my opinion, is a false project to promote government funding. Whether you believe that or not is your prerogrative, but remember, we have the intellect to stop it if it does exist.

The point I'm getting at is that we are superior in raw intellect. There is no animal on the planet that can do or create the things that we have done. We've certainly done things that were awful in time, but the fact that we have the ability to do such things proves how intelligent we are. And sure, humans can also be the scariest animal around, but I would be less afraid to be face to face with Hitler than a bear, because we aren't the most superior animal phyiscally. But mentally, we most certainly are.
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While aimals do not indeed clean up their poo and what not, it's better for the enviornment. What do you think fertilizer is? It's poo. What comes out of everyones rear. The wars between wolves for example is nowhere as deadly as a mans war. Man's war consistes of killing inocent victims for ones saftey, destroying families houses and a city all in the name of defeating the opponent. When wolves are at "war" it's manly the alphamale against a rising male who wishes to take over the pack. Nothing more, nothing less.

Personally I'd rather be face to face with a bear, opposed to hitler. Hitler was extremely paranoid and i wouldn't be surprised if he carried a gun on him at ALL times. With a bear, the best things to do when you meet one in the wolderness is make yourself as big and loud as possible, and don't book it to get away. BEars go off a system of respect. Stand your ground and let them know your not running, they'll most likely leave you alone.

While humans do have superior intellect then other beings, we do misuse it alot. People can be cunning, take con artists for example. They play games to get what they need. Such other animals might do the same, but it's their nature of it that makes the difference. A person can know wrong from right. An animal does what is natural for it. And since in the human world "normal" can't be applied, the topic becomes void for them.
 
J said:
Intelligence and tool making/using are not characteristics not attainable by other species. Dolphins and octopi are considered intelligent, and some species (including a particular species of octopi somewhere around Indonesia) can use their own tools like humans do. Just because humans have characteristics exclusive only to themselves does not mean that it is impossible for other species to obtain them. So no, I'd say we're still animals. I can see there are people who want to believe we are something more than mere animals, and that's why they'd say that, but in the end, we are all no different--we're not special in any way, and I think people need to get over that ridiculous pride of thinking they're different from animals.
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I'm just going to agree with all of this. As much as people wish to believe we are above being 'animals', we are nothing but in the overall picture of things aside from having different traits and mannerisms.

So yes, we are animals.
 
genus and species, a human has one just like all mammals
Homo-Sapian
And humans are also classified as mammals
Humans just have superior intelligence, the are the smartest animals, so therefore they are capable of doing the most
 
I should like to point out that whether or not we do good or bad for the planet should be irrelevant to whether or not we are animals. Because animals, as we know them, are probably capable of both good and bad. And so are humans. And some humans are capable of acting like "animals". We might be more intelligent, and we might be conditioned by society to act a certain way--but having society isn't an exclusive characteristic of being human; maybe it's more extended than societies in other animals, but they have them too. We might have morals that discourage humans from committing polygamy or promiscuity, but if society were structured such that polygamy or promiscuity were allowed, I'm sure humans could be polygamous or promiscuous--and there are certain species that are considered chaste anyways.
 
Yes, humans are animals.

The main reason that people think that we're not animals is because we're more intelligent. They point to our advanced technology and our society etc.

It's seems pretty arbitrary though and a little bit biased. I mean, at what point did our ancestors become intelligent enough to stop being classified as animal? When they started using tools? When the wheel was invented? Or maybe in the future people of that time will look back and say we were animals.

Humans are just animals with a different tool of survival. Our brains. Our intelligence has seen us dominate but that doesn't make us any different. Let's say lions become the most dominant species on Earth. It's akin to saying that lions aren't animals because they are more powerful and their agility makes them above every other species. Because we are the best, the most powerful... powerful enough to command other animals distorts people's opinion in my view.
I think that also stemmed the bad connotations of the word animal. People are said to act like animals and often, you would want to distance yourself from that and be put on another plane above it.
 
Can you imagine back in the day when Darwin was explaining his theory of evolution.... how the brass would have reacted with the scoffing and the disregarding of his idea that man is like a monkey given the way monkeys act.

And in this day and age with the advanced genetics we have available to explain just how closley related we are to the chimpanzee and other Simian Species, if you dont bring religious crap in to the argument then science is the only thing you need to rely on....other than personal perception?
 
This will be my final post on this matter. To try to bring the thread back to the topic at hand, my answer is that humans ARE animals. In my first post, I said that biologically speaking, the human cell makeup is that of an animals, not a plants.

From a more philosophical standpoint, regardless of what kind of chaos or disarray the human may have created, we have all agreed that the human is the superior animal intellectually. I am NOT saying that other animals are not intelligent, but that they are less intelligent than a human. And yes, I do believe that all the things humans may do like communicate and fight over territory are being done by other animals, but naturally they are being done on a smaller level and more subtle than what we see from other humans.

So hopefully, that clarifies the point my original and 2nd post were trying to drive at. I would never say that another animal, or even a plant has no intelligence. Just that ours are superior to all others. And it's that simple notion that humans get the idea that they are superior to animals and thus not classified as one. I'm saying that we are animals, no matter how you want to analyze it.
 
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