What Sets Humans Apart? (Earth, science)

[Comet]

I have been sitting here reading a bunch of different threads. I got to thinking...... What is it that sets humans apart from everything else on Earth?????????

I debated many points with myself and eventually only came up with one answer:

HUBRIS

Your thoughts?

[Aqualung]

Art. Humans are the only animals that create art, and look at art. Other animals use colour for food, like those gorrillas they trained to fingerpaint. Others use colours to find a mate. But that isn't art.

[dawny0826]

What is hubris?

[dawny0826]

To actually answer your question...I'd say spirit. We have the most profund and complex spirits and emotions.

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by dawny0826

What is hubris?

Hubris is like egotism or excessive pride (I think).

[dawny0826]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Hubris is like egotism or excessive pride (I think).

Thanks. Honestly, my first mental image was a type of food or something.

I never claimed intelligence...

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by dawny0826

What is hubris?

Aqualung is correct. Hubris is excessive pride, arrogance.

Regarding the OP, the more science learns about other animals, the less it seems we are in most things radically different than them. Instead, it seems that, for the most part, what exists in us as realization tends to exist in other animals as potential or partial realization. That is, many animals do things that can be seen as much the same thing humans do, but on a more remedial level.

For instance, there's some evidence polar bears create and use mental maps. To do so, they must have some form of conceptual thought. Our own use of conceptual thought might be light years ahead of the typical bear, but basically there might be a shared ability.

Again, we are almost the most cooperative of all animals, but other animals live socially and cooperate with each other too.

Some people might even say they've seen examples of what appears to be excessive pride or hubris in their pets at times. So, perhaps even that is not completely exclusive to humans.

Just some thoughts.

[Comet]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Art. Humans are the only animals that create art, and look at art. Other animals use colour for food, like those gorrillas they trained to fingerpaint. Others use colours to find a mate. But that isn't art.

(frubals for that.... I did not think of)

Yet, there is a ground nesting bird..... I will have to find the name..... that makes nests and decorates them. The female birds choose mates by their view of the nests, bot of the male birds themselves. Isn't that a form of art?

Definition of art:

1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of making friends>
2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural : LIBERAL ARTS b archaic : LEARNING, SCHOLARSHIP
3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ building>
4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) : FINE ARTS (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art
5 a archaic : a skillful plan b : the quality or state of being artful
6 : decorative or illustrative elements

That would be a skill, the occupation is to mate, it is judged on aesthetic qualities judged by the female, it is a skillful plan to build one, and it is decorative...... I suppose it could be a branch of learning as well. Learned by nature or watching other birds build their nests and which ones are chosen over others.......

Very good point though