What makes the human animal any more special than any other animal?

Question

Evolution teaches that we evolved from apes.
So, apes should be almost as intelligent as we are.

Why do we kill other animals then, if we are so closely related?
When other animals kill for food, it isn't called murder.

Is it wrong for cannibals to do the same?
Animals are animals, right?

If you can get away with killing a deer animal for meat, because that's a relatively "dumb" animal, why can't you get away will killing human animals for meat?

Some human animals are very dumb. Intellectually.
Retardation, vegetables, etc.

Shouldn't we all just become vegetarians?
When will someone use the argument in court of law that, oh, they just killed another animal (speaking of humans).

Why can't we stop killing everything?

Answer 1

You make some good points. If we are the most civilized animals, what's with all the war and fighting? I would have to say that we are special because of our higher reasoning skills; our ability to create systems of rules and laws that guide our race as a whole. We are also a species that is able to advance its own knowledge and instincts. By that I mean we are capable of adapting to almost any evironment because of our higher knowledge.

Answer 2

We need protein, and animal flesh provides an excellent source of that.

Some day we may grow meat in big vats, but until that becomes possible and cost effective, the best way to get meat is by harvesting animals.

Humans are not any more special than any other animal. We just have the ability to kill other animals. Lions and bears kill other animals for food, and like bears, we are omnivores.

As for being smarter than monkeys, we know how to make fire. No other animal can do that. Other animals do use tools. Birds build nests. Monkeys throw rocks and kill other animals for food. We're just better at it.

I don't think we should kill everything. Biodiversity is very important. We need to preserve all species, if for no other reason than just so we might know what they taste like.

Answer 3

Well, first of all as a Biblical creationist I object with your worldview. Biblical creation says humans are more special than animals because only we are made in the image and likeness of God.

But from an evolutionary standpoint, I guess the only argument you could make for humans being better than animals is that were are more evolved. Since it comes natural for us to kill animals and turn their homes to our homes wouldn't that be part of natural selection? After all, if there is no God, there is no evil, and even genocide can be justified as "natural selection."

"Why can't we stop kiling everything?"

The Christian:
We kill other people because we are fallen human being controlled by Satan, who is a killer and a destroyer, unless we surrender our lives to Christ. As for animals, God gave us animals for food and declared them as "clean"--at least for the time being. In the Garden of Eden man was a vegetarian, and when Christ returns and sets up the New Heaven and the New Earth we will return to being vegetarians.

The Atheist:
a.) Killing both men and other animals is necessary for our survival. Survival of the fittest requires we kill off our weakest members. It's also instinctual for us to eat meat, so as the most evolved animal we must be the supreme predator at the top of the food chain.
-OR-
b.) Because there are silly people out there who still believe there is as God.

In the end if you want to be a vegetarian, that's fine. It's your personal choice. However, whether or not we "all" become vegetarians should be based on our own personal choices and not be inflicted upon us by an organization that represents a exteremly small but vocal minority of the popluation (i.e. PETA).

Answer 4

Even though some humans are dumb, we still have the ability to reason and make our own decisions. I dont believe in evolution from apes, though...thats just me--but we were to take care and look after all the animals.....thats why were the highest on the chart. I dont see any other "animals" having intelligent conversations, even if they are taught sign language, a 3 year old is the highest intellectually they can reach.

Answer 5

That is, if you believe in Evolution, see, other ppl's opinion may differ from yours, other ppl would say that God made men, and he made everything on earth for men to use and eat. such as the "dumb" animals you mentioned. Some of those we find distasteful, so we don't eat them. What those ppl would say is that we have souls emotions, basically way smarter than the other animals. If apes are just as smart as us, they wouldn've by now built a atomic bomb and killed us all. So, thus. We are smarter, and most ppl like to eat meat. Yeah......

Answer 6

It has never occurred to you that even a vegetarian has to kill in order to eat, has it? That's the way we are made (evolved, if you insist). Neither is man the only species that engages in indiscriminate killing, or even warfare, for that matter. The argument that, oh, they just killed another animal, or vegetable has already been used in a court of law, and successfully.

Why do you find it necessary to condemn one omnivorous species and exclude strictly carnivorous species from your condemnation?

Answer 7

That's the nature of humans. Ever hear of the phrase, "nature red in tooth and claw"? We are no exception to that. Besides, we are the only animals with culture and societies (although you could say chimps do have ruditimary culture).

Chimps sometimes will kill each other in a form of gang warfare.

Answer 8

Those are all very good questions. Go to PBS.ORG and get DVD's of interest. You will learn so much.