Are human beings defined as 'animals'?

Question

I think we are still animals despite our obvious evolutionary and technological advances but I wondered what you guys and modern science had to say?

Answer 1

There are two groups, plant and animal. Some people can be in the plant group.

Answer 2

all living things are classified by several criteria that distinguish them as animal, plant, fungus, protist or bacterium. The criteria are these: whether an organism is unicellular (one-celled) or multicellular (composed of many cells), whether it makes it own food (autotrophic) or acquires food from the environment (heterotrophic), whether or not its cells have cell walls, and whether or not the organism has cells that have nuclei (eukaryotic) or not (prokaryotic).

By DEFINITION, an "animal" is a eukaryotic, multicellular organism which is heterotrophic and lacks cell walls. Scientifically then, a human is an animal because it fits these criteria.

Metaphysically, humans seem to distinguish themselves from other animals because our species has so many cognitive capabilities that are truly distinctive. We reason and feel much beyond the capability of other animals. The scientific explanation of this is simply a favorable hand dealt to us by evolution (in other words, we were "lucky"). The spiritual explanation ascribes these attributes to the "soul" or "spirit". Some have argued that science and religion can coexist in explaining the origins of man.

The answer to your question is this. The word "animal" is a scientific term, and therefore by definition humans are animals.

Answer 3

We are animals, mammals to be precise.

Like all other mammals we have hair, are warm blooded, give birth to live young (as opposed to eggs) etc.

As for eveloutionary advances, we are actually less well equiped to cope with the environment as we once were - if we had to live as animals then we would all suffer as we are no longer used to having to hunt, forage, find / build shelter etc. It's only the security blanket of society that protects us from nature.

Don't be fooled by man's apparent superiority. Speaking in eveloutionary terms, it is only yesterday we were cave dwelling hunter-gatherer's and once we are all gone there are many species ready to fill the gap.

Answer 4

Despite the advances we have made, YES we are ANIMALS1
Just take a look at the way some people behave (it's an insult to animals).

Answer 5

Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Family: Hominidae

Genus: Homo

Species: H. sapiens

Subspecies: H. s. sapiens


Trinomial name
Homo sapiens sapiens

Answer 6

Humans, or human beings, are bipedal primates belonging to the mammalian species Homo sapiens (Latin for "wise man" or "knowing man") under the family Hominidae (known as the great apes).[1][2] Humans have a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language and introspection. This, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make greater use of tools than any other species.

Like most primates, humans are by nature social. However, humans are particularly adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression and the exchange of ideas. Humans create complex social structures composed of co-operating and competing groups, ranging in scale from individual families to nations, and social interaction between humans has established a variety of traditions, rituals, ethics, values, social norms, and laws which form the basis of human society. Humans also have a marked appreciation for beauty and aesthetics which, combined with the human desire for self-expression, has led to cultural innovations such as art, literature and music.

Humans are also noted for their desire to understand and influence the world around them, seeking to explain and manipulate natural phenomena through religion, science, philosophy and mythology. This natural curiosity has led to the development of advanced tools and skills; humans are the only known species to build fires, cook their food, clothe themselves, and use numerous other technologies.

Answer 7

Just because we're mammals doesnt mean were animals.

In Genesis God gave Adam dominion over the animals...so that automatically differentiates us from animals and places us higher than them. (And at the top of the food chain)

Answer 8

Not really, we are classed as 'man'.

I agree though. An outsider would say we exhibit all the same characteristics of other animals, and we are just being precious about our own classification.

Answer 9

Scientifically speaking-- yes, humans are a species of animal.

Answer 10

We are not animals, sometimes people act like animals. It´s stupid scientists who claims we are animals/ predators. We are Humans created by God.