Do our passions make us human or do they make us more animal?

Answer 1

It all depends on the quality of our awareness.

Humans will always be animals. Do we accept that, or do we hide from it like Adam and Eve?

"We" aren't our passions. Our passions, thoughts, emotions, feelings, etc. come and go, yet the observing awareness always remains. That's what we are. We are the observer, not the observed.

If you get caught up in your passions, then you are identifying with something that is ultimately not you.

If you let happen what happens (whether it be passions or anything else), and simply observe, then you're identifying with your true nature.

Anyone who believes that their passions, their likes, their dislikes, their personality is who they are, will eventually have to wake up. Usually it takes death to finally realize that all that stuff is illusion. It becomes obvious, as it all drops away. Some people are fortunate and can realize this before they die, thus know who they really are.

Answer 2

Our passions give us the opportunity to define our humanity.

We have desires that are similar to the lower animals, I agree. I, like a wolf or a lion, can have a desire for sex with a particular female. Were I a wolf or a lion, it would be acceptable to kill or wound my rivals so that I could satisfy that desire.

But I am not a wolf or a lion. I am a man. I can choose how I act on my passions, or I can choose to not act at all. The ability of reason to control passion is a defining trait of humanity, and without passions that trait would be useless. Therefore our passions are part of our separation from the lower animals.

Answer 3

Passion is a strong feeling or emotion.Now it depends on a person whether it's for a good cause or not.
Greatly respected Mother Teresa also had a passion to serve people,which placed her next to God . Never the less, a serial killer too is passionate abt killing people.
So it is very clear that passion can take u both ways,its the "passion for " what matters.

Answer 4

Since I agree with most of the answers I will just add that humans are amongst others, driven by passion while animals mainly by instinct. Instincts that are far less savage and cruel that human passions and instincts together.

Answer 5

Passion is a human trait that involves deep internal emotions.It is impossible to know if animals have these emotions.

Answer 6

Dude information, I was posting a long answer to his question and your first sentence was exactly the way I started. After a few paragraphs I decided it wasn't worth it so I went back but I just had to post this. I don't know why.

But yeah humans are animals... are you implying that human beings are somehow "better" than other animals? I don't think it's our base desires but our excess of ego and lack of empathy that brings out the worst in us.

Answer 7

Whatever passions make us where would we be without them.
In the case of Bill Clinton I'd say animal........
Yes, in the case of Mother Teresa (though she doubted there was a God) I'd say human.

Answer 8

passion is the motivation for humanbeings. even humans behave like animals. the passion for making money drives people crazy. the passion to acquire whatever you desire makes you to take shortcut methods. it depends on how you control your passions to be on the right track.

Answer 9

our passions make us human as we have feelings and a lovely heart

Answer 10

Humans are animals so I don't understand the question.

If you think humans are less savage than other animals, I would ask you when was the last time a pack of wolves evaporated 100,000 other wolves in an atomic fireball?