don't animals possess certain qualities that are far more superior than what we have? like the ability to love unconditionally? are we supposed to be more superior than animals just because we have the potential to think?
is superiority a matter of mind alone?
I know the obvious answers to this question... I would appreciate unbiased answers!
thank you!
2007-05-16 06:57:50 · 12 answers · asked by x 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
you'll love this book, "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn, it deals with these same notions. humans are only supirior because we think we are and because we've been able to(thus far) "control" mother nature herself. in doing so we have done MUCH harm to her (i.e pollution, species extinction, global warming ect...) not to mention most religions are based upon the fact that humans were the sole inheriters of the earth and for centuries we've used that to do whatever we wish with the earth and the rest of its inhabitants. supiriority is a completely subjective phenomenon...so who's to say that we're necessarily better than other species especially because unlike every other species on this planet who knows how to live WITH the planet...we live AGAINST it...destroying ourselves and everything with it.
2007-05-16 07:13:35 · answer #1 · answered by kestrelk8 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Humans are superior because in the species hierarchy they are at the very top of the predator list. A dumb human can kill an intelligent dog, so "smarts" has nothing to do with being in the superior position. Only the ability to dominate. Sad, but true. Humans are the only living being that is intentionally cruel.
2007-05-16 14:08:25 · answer #2 · answered by ocean 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what makes people "superior" is our ability to utilize our compassion. we were gifted with magnificent intelligence, and certain physical traits that benefit our development, and the ability to form complex opinions and judgements. Our depth of emotions and how we apply that to our daily lives is not only our best trait; it is also our worst. without evil there is no good, without destruction we could never create. how we balance ourselves is completely unique to humanity and is the defining characteristic of our species.
like bees, ants and other insects, humans share the hive mentality. for an example of this dichotomy look at an apartment complex, housing project, high rise, sub division, and on the biggest scale look at a city like new york. millions of people living in one place, working with, for, around, and against each other.
Animals don't have religion, nor do they find complex ways of helping others. as far as i know people are the only beings compassionate enough to send food and clean water all the way around the world to attempt ( it is still a tall order) to bring some sense of comfort and help to other people. there is no unicef set up by tigers for tigers.
2007-05-16 14:19:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As you know the obvious answer, this may make sense. Homo sapiens sapiens may be considered superior only because, this species is known to improve its existence i.e with technology, improved life span, standard of living, sustainability of environment for the benefit of not just one species but most in the environment. In addition to the evolutionary path, mind you we are beginning to interfere with that too, in future we might make ourselves as we see fit. On the other hand all other species simply depend upon evolutionary fitness to survive, and have little control over there natural course of existence.
2007-05-16 15:11:00 · answer #4 · answered by ayazali84 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You won't get a good answer to this question until you define the term "superior." Are you just defining it with the ability to love? How can we determine if other species aren't loving?
Other species have been proven to be able to think, so I won't mention that.
It all comes down to the opposable thumb.
2007-05-16 14:02:48 · answer #5 · answered by tapped6815 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Superior?? I suppose that's a matter of opinion. Personally, I don't think so.
However, one thing is for sure......Humans are definitely the most DESTRUCTIVE species on the planet.
2007-05-16 14:09:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Only if you consider "superior" to be defined by such behaviors/ways of being as : psychopathy, sociopathy, greed, narcissism, petulance, insincerity, immaturity, malevolence, and the like. And, that just describes the "leadership" on the planet.
I've never met a tree or animal i didn't "like". Such can not be said for....... :))
2007-05-16 14:10:36 · answer #7 · answered by drakke1 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What makes us human is our arrogance. These are arguments that have been used to justify anything that we have done in the world and through time.
Thinking is not innate. "Thinking" as brain activity is not limited to our species. No one is born talking or thinking. To think, we must learn language. Someone must teach a language. We cannot think without language. Other species communicate in languages that are, for the most part, unintelligible to us.
Superiority is sometimes used to cover inferiority.
2007-05-16 14:15:35 · answer #8 · answered by guru 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Mmmm, let me think, ay, i don't know that question is too hart for human species
2007-05-16 14:29:09 · answer #9 · answered by RED ROSE 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All I think I know about this is that we have way more responsibility in all sense of the word than animals do.....?????
2007-05-16 14:11:13 · answer #10 · answered by someone 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋