Why do we assume our human nature is better than our animal nature, when animals don't deceive?

Answer 1

Animals deceive all the time.

Answer 2

This is like two questions in one :)
First, we assume human nature is better than "animal-like" tendencies because we would all like to think that we have more control over ourselves than animals do. I mean, we wouldn't go up to a stranger and mate out in the open would we? We have emotions like embarassment and shame. To prevent embarassment and shame, we value controlling ourselves in a humanly way, thus valuing our rational human nature and supressing our animal nature.

Second, animals cannot knowingly decieve as far as I know (leave it to some animal expert to prove me wrong though!) Furthermore, humans' qualities that we think are better than animals have nothing to do with our ability to decieve. It has to do with being rational, having control over ourselves and the world around us, and having compassion/emotions.

I do realize what you are trying to say though. Although you phrase the question oddly, I think you are making an attempt to point out that animals appear so loveable and vulnerable. They appear to lead simpler lives and seem ready to be friendly many times. They are adorable too, which makes them have a special place in humans' hearts. Yes, a dog will keep coming back to the master that beats her, so the dog seems better than the human! If we were all a little more humble like our good old pal the dog maybe we wouldn't hurt eachother emotionally as much?

Answer 3

We assume because we are supposed to be learning all the time. But that doesnt mean we are actually any better than animals SOMETIMES!
An animal lives on instinct and cannot learn very much compared to humans, although they can be more loyal than a human being!

Answer 4

I don't. I know animals are superior-I mean put a human being next to a hungry lion-yeah, that's right, he'll show you who's boss-lol. But, animals within their own community do deceive-each other when hunting for food-but hey, that's life. Survival of the fittest!

Answer 5

I believe that most people think that just because they are human, they are more IMPORTANT and SMARTER and more well-adapted than other creatures. We can make ourselves more enlightened by accepting and understanding our animal desires, and we can degrade ourselves by ACTING upon them selfishly. As for animals not being capable of deception, I have a cat that will replace more clean laundry on top of where she has pooped in the basket if someone lets her into the laundry room by mistake, and she keeps the clothes neatly stacked and folded...I think that it's a pretty dirty trick, and well thought out...She usually does it to my boyfriend's clothes because she is jealous of him! Subsequently, I have taken to checking EVERY piece of clothing before putting it away, now! hahaha! She has many tricks she plays to get attention, whether it be good or bad attention...;) Never say animals are NOT deceptive and tricky!

Answer 6

Christianity and evolution are in comparison to minded. The bible teaches that the heavens and the earth have been created in 6 days, evolution teaches that it exchange into formed over hundreds of thousands of years. there is not compatibility. merely by way of fact technological awareness says evolution is authentic does not immediately advise that it is. even with what they might have you ever suspect scientists can not coach that it is authentic. for this reason it remains an thought and not a actuality. whilst Charles Darwin 'got here across' evolution his objective exchange into to discover a thank you to make it obtainable to not want God to create lifestyles, he wanted to teach God exchange into pointless. He did not like God and permit his thoughts on the situation get in the way of his medical technique. in case you suspect in evolution you're taking this guy's observe over God's observe and that i individually think of that it is something that's well worth you annoying approximately.

Answer 7

You are far too general. When you think of animals you think of puppies. Well, animals are very deceitful. They will do anything to survive. There are even some animals that kill for the rush such as foxes in a hen house. They don't need to kill them all, they only eat one but they do. Humans have the ability to think and reason and connect with our own kind.

Answer 8

I can understand why you categorize deception with human nature, but insinuating that it is basic as in expected, i think is a little naive. There are many human who choose not to deceive except in dire circumstances, when personal survival is paramount.

There are some lower humans who see deception as a kind of short cut, a way to make their life easier. Those kinds of humans don't take into account how deception might affect a fellow human, they are only concerned with them self. These humans are generally considered to be of less value to other humans, and many times considered worthless to society. Please don't assume all humans are deceptive all the time, as some type of uncontrolled behavior. It is a tool humans have developed for survival.

It many ways animals use deception as well, but it is generally not a choice. I mean a lion will hide in the bushes to stalk an antelope. they will be very careful not to make a sound, so as not to look interest or even present to the antelope. leopard does the same thing and even carries spots on its fur to hide itself from its prey. It is not like a leopard chooses to use spots though.

Hmm, interesting question, i mean even many butterflies and moths have marking on their wings that make them look like a much larger animal, as with spots that look like eyes, and faces of much larger animals, but that camouflage and deception is not a choice.

That is what really separates, human deception from animal deception. Humans have a choice, beyond that some human choose to use deception on a much larger scale, with a smaller sense of obligation to their fellow human. What i think it more humane is to make the choice not to deceive, just as animals have no choice when they deceive, humans do(have a choice).

Flygirl16, Really though if you think about it, a human can make a suit the lion couldn't get through, a human could take a firearm with him, during the encounter with the lion, the human could take a sharp object. And really if you think about it a lion is much larger than an average human, if you take a smaller lion against the same size human, or a human the same size of full grown lion, the human's surviability goes up quite a bit, not to mention different knowlwedge bases that humans have developed to go along with mortal combat, you would find the lion would have a lower rate of survivability.

Answer 9

This assumes that deceit is bad. It also assumes that we are animals.
If in fact we are all animals, then how can you ask the question of "deceipt"? That's like saying it's wrong to kill another human being all the while chomping down a hamburger.

Answer 10

Animals don't decieve because they don't know any better.
And then again, they do decieve. Have you ever watched an animal lure it's prey within reach? Okay, maybe they don't "think" about deception, but they do it instinctually.