What's makes a human human?

Question

This is an ultimate philosophical question! Isaac Asimov asks this question as does Philip K. Dick in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

All answers given so far are either purely genetic, can actually be seen in animals, chimps for example are known to be self aware and emphatic, or can be programmed, either into a robot or a computer programme. For example in The Sims parents respond and look after their children. Does this make them human too? Robots have been made that can synthesize emotion and have conversations, although limited ones, are they human? Animals have emotions, feel stress, show mental anguish. Are they human? A CPU is a brain, AI functions that way. A seeing-eye dog can be trained to look after someone. Do any of these things make them human?

If you were able to build a robot that could synthesize every function of a person, every ability and want. Would that make it human?
What if that robot looked exactly like a human, would people then treat it as a human or a thing?
Which way should it treated?
If it looks like a duck and smells like a duck, acts like a duck, is it a duck?

Answer 1

Humanity (the ability to control ones impulses and desires with reason)
Anamality (the inability to control ones impulses and desires with reason)
Humanity the universal ultimate priority. (the institution and maintenance of)
Imagine If more people asked this question!
About the robot and the duck, try this.
In a human society humanoids don't necessarily qualify for Human Status being that it is not possible to be born Human.
If it looks a person walks like a person and acts like an animal, it's not Human.
If it looks like a dog, walks like a chicken and acts like it's looking around for ways to help others, be a part of others lives, alleviate the suffering of others and not for selfish reasons, (other than it's own feeling good about all this) it's Human.
You know, doin the right thing cause it's the right thing to do. Robots and ducks can't do that. Yet. When they can, Humanoids will treat them the same way some treat dark skinned Humans. Humans will treat them as friends.

Answer 2

this is a very interesting question - some what similar to the question of my book - what is purpose of life.
Anyway, here is what i think makes a human.
If you say, above all beings - it sums up in the following :
self realization and acting towards the goals and needs of other beings. Religion, Culture, Tradition, Politics, Arts, and as simple things as Table manners arise from a consideration towards our fellow human beings, fellow earthlings, and this is what makes us human. We can only hope that our fellow universe residents to be the same - if they have intelligence.

It is true that so far in history we humans have fought wars and killed our brothers and fathers - but we fought to bring order as we see it. Chengiz KHAN conquered the world but within the Mongol tribe he created order, organization, wealth and general well being.
Alexander, wanted to conquer the world but he realized that the world has so many different people & cultures that he asked his Generals to marry the ladies of other religions so that he could create one world society.
So was Hitler - although his view of the world was twisted.
So were the Japanese - the followers of the Sun Emperor.
So are the Americans now - they think the whole world should be democratic and run by big corporations so that they can financially rule the world, by which they aim to bring order.
If you want anything, just get it from Walmart!!!
But then there are some people who do not think the same way, so we fight and what is best for the human kind shall prevail.

The current era is the most peaceful era in Earth's history.
EU / Asean / African / North American and South Americal communities are uniting financially to build integrated societies that sustain national pride and preserve tradition - the same will follow in all parts of the world and through financial co-operation, we can take long strides closer to a better world. It will take time, nevertheless, I am quite positive about it.

Answer 3

Human is an adjective, as in a ''human'' being. Being, being a living thing. Human comes from the greek language and is the root of many English words, one of which being ''humorous''. I suggest that we have the ability to laugh at ourselves - and this is one of the things that makes us human. If you really care why don't you research the word? Go to your town library and take a look at an 'unabridged' dictionary - usually found in the reference section, perhaps the Oxford, or Cambridge Greater Dictionary. There you will find the 'etymology' of the word human - where the word comes from, and how many other words have evolved from it. Then you may be able to piece together a better idea of all the complexities that go to make us what we are.

Answer 4

Really hard, if you read about Feral children you would hear that apparently what makes you human, is an ability to empathise, but surely that is only a question of being a socially integrated human. In which case are we more human that our neanderthal past?
Is it the ability to industrialise? Or to socialise? If so have we become more human?
Every thought has an offshoot of hundreds of if's but's and or's!!!
I would say that our most 'human asset' would be the ability to industrialise, and the need to control our envioroments, no othr species tries to 'tame' nature.

Answer 5

Humanity

Answer 6

A human individual is a representative of the biological species Homo Sapience. But unfortunately, not all of them are human i.e capable of showing humanity.

Humanity has been defined in many ways, empathy, kindness, respect for others, group survival etc, etc . The charter of human rights is one of the greatest achievements of human judgment, conscience insight, intellect and endeavor.

The Ability and the willingness to understand and follow the charter of human rights make a human human.

Answer 7

A human is a human because he or she is not perfect. Think about it what would happen if a human is a God probably we don't have technology right now even worse we will have no emotions if we are perfect, no hope, no dreams no nothing. So be greatful you are human :) it may be negative in someways but think about it would you want to be an emotionless person rather than a human? And if ask yourself would you be alive if humans are not humans?

Answer 8

Human is a human because of his/her weaknesses not found on ordinary animals. Human ranked in the highest kingdom of animals and yet we possessed so many defects and our being intelligent and power of reasoning sometimes makes us not even better than the ordinary animals like dogs.Human makes human simply for distinction among his/her own kinds but not necessarily better.Human makes human as good excuses for being what we are today and what we have achieved for a spell of time.

Answer 9

All The seven characteristics: Mrs. Ferg(easy way to remember

M: Movement
R: Respiration
S: Sensitivity
F: Feeding
E: Excretion
R: Reproduction
G: Growth

Plus intelligence

Answer 10

We have the ability to take care of others, animals, other humans and even ourselves. We have the ability to plan ahead to avoid diasters. Animals don't think, if I feed the dog to much.
I'll save this for tomorrow. We can love, make sacrifices for those we love and even for perfect strangers. Such as firemen or policemen or people who go in the military.
We can settle differences and make allowances for anyone we have hurt.