what makes mankind so arrogant to assume he is better than the animal kingdom?

Answer 1

Because that's the way that god treats us. We learned by example. When god gets angry at us, he drowns us or kills our babies. We do the same because we learned from god.

Answer 2

Is a dictator better than you because he can control you?
Is a bully better than its victim?
Is a slave owner better than the slaves?

No...

Mankind is arrogant, you answered yourself. For every 'good' attribute we have, there is also a negative one. We are no different to any other life on the planet. Some are better at being more numerous, some have longer lives, some are better physically, some have better senses, some have senses we don't have, and so on and so on. It all balances out. People should not be concerned with such things, it is ego driven anyway.

We are part of nature, not aloof to it. We are separating from nature and holding ourselves aloof at our own peril. The earth is beginning to fight back. Heck I don't think we are any better than the food we eat, the air I breathe, the ground I walk, or the water I drink. Without any of these I would not exist, non-life is as important as life, and life is all equally valid.

Answer 3

when you say better what do you mean? Humans are by far and away the most succesful species on the planet. I don't think mankind assumes he is better, mankind is just too successful. Mankind is a special case and needs to realise that it has to put a limit on itself before the earths does. We are more succesful/better than any animal and the animal kingdom (depending on what you mean by that) but we are not above nature, I don't even think that mankind believes that. We are just not in control of ourselves enough to not be victims of our own success.

To directly answer your question-Sucess makes man kind arogant to assume he is better than the animal kingdom

Jesus what is that Daneille waffling on about though? Sure most religions have realised that mankind is special and needs to put limits on itself but reason tells us that in a simpler and more effective way, than religion. Religion and old scriptures do not address current problems in the same way looking at the current world with reason can. Religions were born out of reason at the time of their creation sure a lot remains the same but a lot has changed since the time these religions were invented, the reasoning that is behind them is not going to be as good as current reasoning looking at mankinds current situation.

Answer 4

It is simply half-baked knowledge which makes man so arrogant.

The Hindu concept is that all living entities are in fact eternal spiritual souls.

When we look at the basics we find that humans and all other living entities perform the same functions, i.e. eat, sleep, mate and defend. So, in essence there in no difference, but man thinks that by working like a donkey all day and eating in a restaurant he is somehow more advanced.

Once the differences between human and animal sexual behaviour were considered the defining characteristics but we can with the gradual degradation of society that even this is no longer the case, e.g. people are now beginning to experiment with sex in public places and more nudity etc. So, we can see that animal life and human life are not really that far apart.

Answer 5

Mankind knows he has brains, and that is the only thing that makes him different from animals. I don't mean animals dont have brains, they do, but their intellectual level is lower. But if you look around, mankind has used most of his intellegence in destroying life, human race, abuse kids, Come to think of it, mankind is worse than the animal kingdom.

Answer 6

I think it is because of speech - animals cannot tell you their thoughts so people assume their feelings do not matter and they are too stupid to complain. But actually only humans of above average intelligence are more intelligent than dolphins, chimps, pigs and even dogs. I know, I live near some of the most intellectually subnormal peasants that ever existed, and one of them was a very senior Police officer in Fife Constabulary.

Answer 7

Apart from some religions and faiths like Buddhism, the major religions all state that we rule over animals and are better than animals, so I blame 'god' for this arrogance.

Answer 8

EXACTLY!! its when you watch a programme like 'planet earth' on the bbc can you gain and insight into the vast majority of this planet uninhibted by human, inhibited my animals...it is an insight into how insignificant and useless humans are in comparison to animals. not to say that they are better, but the grace, diginity, efficiency with which they live is second to none when compared to the dependent, uncontent, war torn state of the human condition..

Answer 9

We are better. You dont see lions keeping us in cages. The animal kingdom also doesnt set aside sanctuaries for us to live in. We totally dominate the animals.

Answer 10

religion! anybody who hasn't got the wit to explore the world and make their own mind up, turns to religion for quick answers. such people tend to fall victim to the predominantly hierachical view of nature proffered by religious zealots, that humans have intrinsic qualities bestowed upon them by a god that set them apart and above the rest of the natural world. this assumption is not only wrong from a purely biological view but also wrong from what most religious texts actually say about our place in nature.

Answer 11

Well, better in what way? I don't think anyone will claim that they can outrun a cheetah or take down a zebra like a lion, but, then again, I don't see them living in skyscrapers and flying planes at the speed of sound...