What REALLY makes us Human?

Question

Is it ,because we can think?
That we can feel sorrow and pain?

Answer 1

Maybe,.... that we can laugh
..I hope so..
We can hurt and we can laugh and we know a past, and a present, and in some ways,..a future.

Maybe what makes us human is that we know just enough to think we know where were going.

Answer 2

Animals can think, and some animals can feel sorrow. So thats definitely not it. Nor is it are ability to manipulate the world around us, since plenty of animals have been shown to do that. Or are ability to care for others, since some animals show this trait as well, the same thing goes for being bipedal which has little effect over a species other than allowing them to see danger from afar and freeing up two hands.
I think when it comes down to it, there are two things that really defines us as humans. One, the ability to think of the future. Therefore we worry about things that haven't happened yet, we try to prevent them or make them come faster. And two, we hate. We hate for no reason other than different opinions, something animals can't do. Rather it bit a moralistic hate, a ethnic hate, or so on and so forth. Nearly every historical event in our history has been caused by some sort of hatred.
So when it comes down to it, what makes us human is was also makes us the most evil, sinsiter beings on this planet. Amazing, anit it?

Answer 3

Most sociologists and psychologists agree that the one characteristic that differentiates humans from the other animals is the ability to use language. However, I would disagree with you that only humans can feel sorrow and pain. If you believe that, then you've probably never owned a pet.

Answer 4

What a great question!

But the answer is not as easy as many people suggest. We may not be alone in our ability to use language or to express feelings. Please take a look at the link below. It describes a (captive) gorilla named "Koko" who is able to communicate using an adapted version of standard American sign language. She can express emotions and can even put words that she knows together to express concepts she has never been taught. Pretty amazing if you ask me!

The DNA answers are technically correct, but these are also too simple, I think.

So apart from our genetics, I think it is our deep desire to seek the truth. Our desire to understand ourselves and to understand our world. It is this desire that opens up some people to seek God and opens up other people to seek Science or Philosophy.

Answer 5

DNA

Those who can't think (in a vegetative state) are still human.
People with disorders who can't feel pain are still human.
People with other disorders who don't feel sorrow are still human.

The only things regarded as human are those with human DNA and all things lacking human DNA are non-humans.

Answer 6

What does your humanity mean to you? That then is what makes you really human. Science will tell you that is the genes and this is mechanically true; while religion will tell you it is the spirit within. I believe that this fundamental question is answered by the person who asks the question and for each of us different aspects will come to mind - and adding this together will define all of us.

Answer 7

Since humans are only one of the many animal species, the question is : why does an animal belong to a particular species ?
One answer is : because he/she can have offspring with another animal of that same species.

Another answer is : because we eliminated all other species who could think (like for example the neanderthal).

Answer 8

The ability to walk upright (for our whole lives), large brain with a developed cortex, and opposable thumbs are all purely human characteristics.

Answer 9

Most animals have a soul to some extent (mind, will and emotions) only humans have a spirit. That part of you that is eternal,,, that longs to know God.

Answer 10

Well, we're bipedal vertebrates with a complex language system, social structure, and technological sophistication. What more do you need to distinguish humans from other animals?