Aren't we Animals?

Question

So many say humans aren't animals, we are, were just a little more evolved and advance then neighbors aren’t we? What makes us different from the animals, we do the exact same thing as them, we feed, we rest, we mate. So what makes us so different? Besides Having a brain that can comprehend better than other animals, is it that little difference that makes you say we are not animals?

Answer 1

Well, according to Descartes animals lack souls which is what separates humans from animals. Descartes even went so far as to call animals "machina animata" or animated machines. Descartes argued that when an animal laments it is simply the rasp of a poorly functioning machine, like a wagon wheel in need of oiling. Of course there's no way to prove animals lack souls just as there is no way to prove humans have them, but there have been other philosophers that have argued against Descartes. Like Nietzsche, for example. In 1889, Nietzsche was leaving a hotel in Turin when he saw a coachman beating a horse with a whip. Nietzsche went up to the horse, wrapped his arms around its neck and wept. Granted, by this time Nietzsche was in his first stages of mental illness, but an interesting encounter nonetheless.
I personally agree with Nietzsche and feel equality between the species is a pressing issue. After all, other primates, such as chimpanzees, have exhibited what we consider human traits. I sincerely believe that the practice of eating meat will someday be regarded as a barbaric past, much like our former practices of slavery and treating women as inferior. As Singer wrote, "if possessing a higher degree of intelligence does not entitle one human to use another for his own end, how can it entitle humans to exploit non-humans for the same purpose?"

Answer 2

We are not animals, no other animal rapes, tortures or kills other animals for profit. No other animal constitutes threat to thousands of lifes. No other animal gives pain, either physical or emotional, to other animals for the pleasure of it.
No, we are not animals, or can not be.
They are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal, which are difficult standards for people to live up to.

Answer 3

Well with the difference that we're supposed to think before we act, have values and morals and a lot of other things which distinguish us from other animals.

Answer 4

we are animals with social nature as humans.

Answer 5

Yes, we are definitely animals.

Answer 6

many humans are animals

Answer 7

My prehensile tail at the front of my pelvis makes me an animal.

Answer 8

difference bitween animals& humans is decision power to differenciate good or bad. animals have no sense of wisdom . all westeren people today behave like animals i. e . free sex ,no morale values.

Answer 9

Yes we are.
We are on top of the food chain.

Answer 10

Most humans have a soul.