what is it which seperates man from animals?

Question

what is it inherently that makes a man a partner in humanity and seperate from the animal kingdom, if indeed he is?

it cannot be intellect or else a man is only the most intelligent animal

it cannot be awareness for not all people are capable of introspective thought, many like animals act based solely on the stimuli provided

Answer 1

The prefrontal cortex of the human brain is developed to the point that it can reason and communicate that reason in a language to other humans.

No other known living things can do this with such supreme, specific intelligence, though other living things do clearly communicate with each other on a simpler level.

Answer 2

This we cannot deny. If we say that these are effects of powers which animals also have, and of the powers of the bodily senses, we see clearly and evidently that the animals are, in regard to these powers, superior to man. For example, the sight of animals is much more keen that the sight of man; so also is their power of smell and taste. Briefly, in the powers which animals and men have in common, the animal is often the more powerful. For example, let us take the power of memory. If you carry a pigeon from here to a distant country, and there set it free, it will return, for it remembers the way. Take a dog from here to the center of Asia, set him free, and he will come back here and never once lose the road. So it is with the other powers such as hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch.

Thus it is clear that if there were not in man a power different from any of those of the animals, the latter would be superior to man in inventions and the comprehension of realities. Therefore, it is evident that man has a gift which the animal does not possess. Now, the animal perceives sensible things but does not perceive intellectual relities. For example, that which is within the range of its vision the animal sees, but that which is beyond the range of sight it is not possible for it to perceive, and it cannot imagine it. So it is not possible for the animal to understand that the earth has the form of a globe. But man from known things proves unknown things and discovers unknown truths. For example, man sees the curve of the horizon, and from this he infers the roundness of the earth. The Pole Star at 'Akka, for instance, is a 33 degrees--that is to say, it is 33 degrees above the horizon. When a man goes toward the North Pole, the Pole Star rises one degree above the horizon for each degree of distance that he travels--that is to say, the altitude of the Pole Star will be 34 degrees, then 40 degrees, then 50 degrees, then 60 degrees, then 70 degrees. If he reaches the North Pole the altitude of the Pole Star will be 90 degrees or have attained the zenith--that is to say, will be directly overhead. This Pole Star and its ascension are sensible things. The further one goes toward the Pole, the higher the Pole Star rises; from these two known truths an unknown thing has been discovered--that is, that the horizon is curved, meaning that the horizon of each degree of the earth is a different horizon from that of another degree. Man perceives this and proves from it an invisible thing which is the roundness of the earth. This it is impossible for the animal to perceive. In the same way, it cannot understand that the sun is the center and that the earth revolves around it. The animal is the captive of the senses and bound by them; all that is beyond the senses, the things that they do not control, the animal can never understand, although in the outer senses it is greater than man. Hence it is proved and verified that in man there is a power of discovery by which he is distinguished from the animals, and this is the spirit of man.

Answer 3

Eating, sleeping, defending and sex are the animal propensities and most people are absorbed in these activities although it may be a little more polished and sophisticated than animals. And if our highly developed brains are used to make it easier to duplicate what the animals do, whats the point? The higher pursuits of science, the arts, religion etc can be the beginnings of human life, but these also are usually used to achieve better facilities for comfortable living.

What really makes us human and "better" than the animals is our ability to become Self-realized and God conscious. This is actually the purpose of the human form of life. This means realizing our eternal spiritual nature, the nature of this world, and ultimately knowing our relationship with the Supreme Lord. When we begin asking the important questions: who are we, why are we here and what is the purpose of life (not as arm-chair philosophers, but as sincere seekers of the truth) that is the beginning of human life.

Answer 4

Biology defines human beings as animals. Do other animals have a meaning or significance attached to their life? If only human life has meaning, what is it that sets humans apart from other animals? The great apes are the first cousins of humans. Is there a meaning attached to their life? Does a cow, a pig or a monkey have a meaning or purpose ascribed to its life, except to serve as food for humans?

Every living organism, including every human being, always acts in what it considers to be in its best self-interest: To avoid pain and to enhance pleasure.

Only organisms that perceive a threat to their existence as an unpleasant emotion, a perception of pain, can survive and replicate.

In the perpetual struggle for survival, all living organisms are constantly engaged in a battle for limited resources. Lower life forms, such as bacteria or earthworms, have little control over their inherently hostile environment. Only man has evolved rational thought processes. Among animals, only man can utilize his rational mind to achieve a higher degree of survival and security in an inherently insecure world.

Answer 5

Whatever it is, it certainly seems to be a very fine line.

There have been some astonishing examples of animals, particularly household pets, showing reason and intellect, loving and kindness (ie: saving or getting help for injured owners), but sadly even more shocking examples of humans acting as bad or worse than animals, attacking others with cowardice, fear, hatred, cruelty and ruthlessness.

Answer 6

A enlarged cerebellum.

I think therefore I don't go sniffing other humans the way animals sniff each other.

I know people adore animals but the are not persons. We may anthopermorphize them a bit, call them our best friends, but, in reality it is a one sided choice on our part.

The most intelligent animal has less than a kindergarten education and it has to be reintilled constantly or it will be lost.

So, I would have to say our brains make all the difference.

Answer 7

The ability to reason, the ability to conceptualize groups of perceptual data into units of thought based on similarities and differences and to apply the rules of logic (non-contradictory identification) are powerful tools for grasping a deeper meaning and more complex understanding of the reality we live in.

Our ability to reason is our distinguishing characteristic as well as our unique method of survival and achieving success as a species. Nevertheless, this ability comes at a price; the necessity to choose between the many alternatives this offers us. Unlike other species whose only choice is to follow their evolutionary programming we must choose to develop and employ the products of our ability to reason wisely. For this we rely on philosophy, the love of wisdom, to guide us in our choices and actions.

Answer 8

The spirit of Man.? It is the spirit, which was given to Adam and inherited by his offspring all the way to you. It is not an eternal spirit.
(Pro 20:27) The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
(Ecc 3:21) Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
NOTE: Spirit of man is not earth bound. We are free to move out side of the earth thus our space program. Animals cannot exist out side of this earth but man can. For God gave us free will and a larger brain to reason complex problems with.
(1Cr 2:11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(Zec 12:1) The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
The Holy Spirit is the seed of God to which it matures within you so that you grow into a child of God and become his family

Answer 9

What is man that God has made him just a little lower than the angels. It is God that has made man distinct from animals. Man is created in the image of God. It would be good conversation amoung people of good will to discuss How this is true.

Answer 10

Intellect and the power to reason I believe.