Why is it that when something is so cruel, they describe it as 'inhuman' ?

Question

While it's only humans, amongst all creatures, who do such things?

Answer 1

"No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity. But I know none, and therefore I am no beast." - from Richard III by William Shakespeare.

Answer 2

Because it is so cruel, that only a heartless person could do something (whatever your talking about). And all humans are (well, supposed) to be known for having some heart. So when its cruel or "Heartless", its described as inhuman. Kinda like saying "Thats not human"

Answer 3

Cruelty requires intention and humans are the only known species to have the capability of intentions to be cruel. On the direct opposite side, humans are supposed to be decent to each other. Cruelty and decency are not compatible so the evil side is called "inhuman"

Answer 4

Other species act on need; humans act in "inhuman" ways because they can think. Our brains are very complex and allow us to imagine. The term "Inhuman" has been around for a very, very long time. We now know that animals have feelings, care for their young and feel sad when a member dies. Inhuman is an improper term in today's world.

Answer 5

In prehistoric times, the natural enemy of man is Nature with its host of predators, natural calamities and diseases. Those were things that were beyond human control and therefore, in the mind of the prehistoric people, "inhuman". So anything that was cruel were attributed to with the qualities that those things had: inhumanity. This association of ideas was carried on up to this day.

Answer 6

Perhaps you remember a few lines from the film, "Runaway Train": Manny the escaped convict is called "an animal," to which he replies "Worse....Human!" It is conventional psychological belief that of Earth creatures only man is capable of the level of cruelty he has demonstrated throughout history. Animals kill for food, or in a frenzy, rather than through a considered decision to terrorize and degrade.

Answer 7

Don't kid yourself. Animals have been known to be deliberately cruel.

We have friends who have 2 dogs. They feed them both at the same time. Rosco immediately eats his food and gobbles it up while Betsy delays eating. Betsy waits until Rosco is done, and then she starts eating her food.... making noisy happy sounds very loudly. She is obviously intentionally causing mental agony to poor Rosco, who never learns.

This is just one example of course.

But more to your point, I think that the 'human' standard is to respect others, love and be kind, or at least to 'live and let live.' When a human acts in a particularly cruel and evil way, then it is called, 'inhuman.' I like that! Despicable behavior is labeled as undeserving of being referred to as human. Cruel behavior should be seen as not the norm.

Nice point.

Answer 8

humans are ascribed with certain characteristics such as kindness, pity, compassion, etc. when these traits are found to be lacking in some one they are said to be inhuman ie without human traits.

Answer 9

Because when something is so cruel, no one likes to associate cruelty with humans, it ruins the reputations of all humans.

Answer 10

I like Akens answer, but would like to add that your question and the adendum that you added suggest that only a human can be inhuman.

Answer 11

because the people rating this thing inhuman, thinks they are human and know/think they wouldnt do it, so they consider it something they as humans would never do