What makes someone a human being? what might make them not?

Question

just a stupid question that i already know the answer to. But i was thinking the only difference between humans and everything else in the world is that we know wrong from right. Aside from that, we are not that much, so take out those humans that don't know right from wrong and you're left with a few percent of the population that is actually...human. So yea, don't want to hurt anyone's feeling, just a random inner thought. So human are basically just another term such as, dog, cat, horse, and donkey. Why do we think so highly of ourselves? And if someone is not a human being, then they should have another sub-category to place those individuals in. Lol, i'm bored and would love to see your response, so take a shot.

Answer 1

Humans are neither better nor worse than other animals. Yes, there is always the argument of "right" and "wrong". When it comes down to it, though, hasn't society been constantly editing what's "right" and "wrong"? I mean, most anyone today will tell you slavery is "wrong". Okay, but weren't there people not too long ago who thought it to be "right"? It's the same with women's rights, gays' rights, etc., etc. Society will continue to change its views of right and wrong, constantly proving that these ideas can be changed, and in turn proving their nonexistence. Since the only thing humans think they have over animals are concepts of "civilized" societies where "rights" and "wrongs" are fundamental, I restate my conclusion that human beings are neither better nor worse than other animals. Humans reproduce, kill their own species, progress, digress, etc.

Answer 2

We are more advanced than dogs etc. We especially Scots have invented communication systems like telephone and television.

No matter how long a species other than human survives they will never have the capacity to invent the way we have. We have discovered the DNA of everything. We are totally a well intelligent species.

We are the top of the food chain period. there are stronger animals than us and in the past homo erectus species lots of strong challengers however there is no substitute for intelligence.

that's why we think so highly of ourselves, because we are the most intelligent species on the planet, by far.

Answer 3

Semantics, I'm afraid. You said what makes "someone" a human being, and we generally refer to a human being as "someone", so it's like asking, What makes a trout a fish?

But I do understand your point, and it's a very interesting one. At a stab at an answer, I'd say self-consciousness separates human beings from dogs, cats and donkeys. We KNOW we are human beings. We know we are good and bad (human constructs, unless you bring in a religious dimension, but I'm sure you'll agree that would complicate things further).

In essence, the answer to your question, "Why do we think so highly of ourselves?" is, Because we can.

Great question, though.

Answer 4

You are correct - the only thing that separates us from animals is the ability to reason. We do something because we want to.

Example:

most animals have sex for procreation,
humans have it for pleasure;

most animals don't get bored (for the exception of caged ones), they eat, sleep, hunt, procreate
humans read, watch TV, go to sporting events, buy membership in clubs, WE WORK, and of course...eat, sleep, hunt, procreate

So, why do we do things differently from animals. Because those things are fun. How do we know that? You said it mister - we can tell right from wrong, good from bad, fun from boring.

But it is this exact thought - the ability to reason - that makes us think that we are better than animals. Look, we thumbs we can use, for crying out loud!

Answer 5

I don't think it's knowing wrong from right, but asking the question (what is wrong and right). I think what makes human beings truly human is not just having the ability to choose abstract ideals over basic instinct, but actually doing it.

Answer 6

i'm rather particular she's human, in simple terms a human with a topic! via the sounds of issues she's a feeder. i'm via no skill an authority on those issues yet attempt googling it. There are people who take excitement in feeding others and take excitement in it, or from time to time severe excitement! You adult males could desire to talk. have you ever tried telling her the form you sense? you're able to desire to enable her be attentive to that she is endangering your well being. Tread softly regardless of the shown fact that, she could be mushy approximately this if she has a topic. She probable desires expert help if this subject persists. As severe because it sounds this is seems to be an habit (she's addicted to feeding you) and maximum addictions desire help! or perchance she in simple terms in simple terms needs you to be fatter or she's a obese chaser. you incredibly could desire to handle it regardless of the shown fact that, you will no longer be able to maintain residing this way! good success, wish i helped :)

Answer 7

To be civalized, educated, and to be able to respond to things looking at the future and not the next 10 minutes. There are alot of people that are animals, and not humans. Yet most animals do not kill each other, don't smoke, and don't kill their unborn. In alot of ways we are more animalistic then they are.

Answer 8

Humans are the only animal on the planet that are not perfect. Everything else lives in harmony with nature, we run contrary to it, fighting it at every turn, resisting its every pull. So what makes us human... our failures.

Answer 9

One line answer: One who does good things to others and feels other's pain is human and others are not.

Answer 10

Actually, if you could answer this question, then you could solve the abortion debate