Are Humans Animals

[The Neo Nerd]

I have posted this in the non-theist section so while i am more than happy for theists to join in on the conversation please do not bring any deity into the discussion.

Are humans animals?

I say yes. We have the same needs as say a stoat (my personal favourite animal). We need to eat, sleep and excrete. Other animals grieve for the dead, they feel fear, they have social structures just like us. We are by no means the only self aware species on this planet.

Sure we are the dominant species on this planet but that doesnt make us separate from the animals just 'smarter'. I put smarter 's because we are the only animals that are destroying the planet/upsetting the natural balance, not exceptionally intelligent if you ask me. Since we have become an industrial society i believe we have lost our connection to the natural world and therefore a lot of the senses we use to take for granted.

If you believe we are not animals, what is it that you think separates us from them.

-Q

 

[JMorris]

this is like the 100th thread asking this question.............. in the last month............

 

[Storm]

Having posted it in the Non-Theist section, do you really expect anyone to say no?

 

[Willamena]

Are humans animals?

Yes and no. In that we identify with the characteristics that delineate "animal" we are animal; in that we don't, we aren't.

 

[JMorris]

Having posted it in the Non-Theist section, do you really expect anyone to say no?

: hamster ::bunny:olarbaby:anda:

 

[Willamena]

Having posted it in the Non-Theist section, do you really expect anyone to say no?

*raises hand*

 

[blackout]

Yes and no. In that we identify with the characteristics that delineate "animal" we are animal; in that we don't, we aren't.

I would have to agree with that.

 

[darkendless]

We're the dumbest animals. We destroy our own planet and as a result, take every other animal down with us. Opposing thumbs have been a curse rather than a blessing.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

Having posted it in the Non-Theist section, do you really expect anyone to say no?

Not neccessarily there would still be a lot of no theists that think we are apart from animals.

 

[whereismynotecard]

We're the dumbest animals. We destroy our own planet and as a result, take every other animal down with us. Opposing thumbs have been a curse rather than a blessing.

Hey! I'll have you know that I am a very
smart animal, ranking right up there with
the giraffe. :giraffe:

 

[JMorris]

We're the dumbest animals. We destroy our own planet and as a result, take every other animal down with us. Opposing thumbs have been a curse rather than a blessing.

agreed

 

[darkendless]

Hey! I'll have you know that I am a very
smart animal, ranking right up there with
the giraffe. :giraffe:

Then you better go wipe out half your own senate to prove it. America and Australia are a major part of the problem this world faces. For 1) we use outdated methods, 2) we're too damn stupid to change our ways.

Humans are the most pathetic animals on this planet. Look at the carnage we cause. Look how much we waste on war that could be used to give our children a chance at life.

 

[whereismynotecard]

Then you better go wipe out half your own senate to prove it. America and Australia are a major part of the problem this world faces. For 1) we use outdated methods, 2) we're too damn stupid to change our ways.

Humans are the most pathetic animals on this planet. Look at the carnage we cause. Look how much we waste on war that could be used to give our children a chance at life.

I haven't wasted anything on war.

 

[darkendless]

I haven't wasted anything on war.

Your parents pay tax which goes towards defence.

I do it to, but if i don't i go to jail

Stupid government, why cant loonies stay in their own damn country so we can put our tax dollars to better use before the earth dies?

 

[kai]

Humans are fine in small groups its when they band together into larger groups they become disruptive and destructive,

 

[JMorris]

Humans are fine in small groups its when they band together into larger groups they become disruptive and destructive,

hmmm, i dont much like the small groups either

 

[whereismynotecard]

Your parents pay tax which goes towards defence.

I do it to, but if i don't i go to jail

Stupid government, why cant loonies stay in their own damn country so we can put our tax dollars to better use before the earth dies?

Well, my parent doesn't have a job... So she isn't taxed. Maybe they tax her social security or something? Either way, it is against our will, so we shouldn't be called responsible for something we are forced to do under threats.

 

[darkendless]

Well, my parent doesn't have a job... So she isn't taxed. Maybe they tax her social security or something? Either way, it is against our will, so we shouldn't be called responsible for something we are forced to do under threats.

We have the power to change it, although most people won't. They're too damn stupid to recognise the state of the earth and what we're doing to it.

In any way, humans are the worst and most destructive forms of animals, and thus in my opinion, the least intelligent.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

In any way, humans are the worst and most destructive forms of animals, and thus in my opinion, the least intelligent.

Agreed.

IMHO if we were to all realise that we are animals then we would treat this planet with a little more respect. If we continue to think ourselves above and beyond the rest of life then we will continue to **** all over it.

To throw in a little depression to the subject im sure we will bomb our way out of existence before this planet becomes unlivable.

-Q

 

[ManTimeForgot]

I'm not sure how the question of "Are humans animals?" magically transformed into "Are humans so stupid as to be unworthy of living at all?" or "Let's see how badly we can trash the western world because everyone knows that anarcho-communism and/or hunting and gathering is the only proper way for people to live," but perhaps we can get back on the actual subject matter?


In a strictly scientific sense we are animals since we are classified as being under kingdom Animalia. But in a linguistic sense we separate ourselves from animals (dictionary definition #2 states that all beings so classified except us are "animals"), so there exists some ideological contention as to whether we should be or not.

I am more inclined to view us as separate. We do not form societies with members of any other living being included as of yet. There are a few animals with sufficient "brain power" to have "moods" and as such there are consequences for our actions when we deal with them (that's why there are laws regarding treatment of animals), but this is not by itself sufficient to warrant inclusion into a society; I'm not sure exactly what is though...


Side Note: If you all really think the world sucks so bad, then do one of the following: lead an armed revolt, disappear from society and become a hermit, start your own society on some island that you purchase, start a program for mass-dissemination of information regarding life's various grotesqueries, or shut up. Decrying western society as a venal, corrupt, and ultimately broken system on forum about religion and then hiding in a corner "because they force me too" doesn't actually do anyone any good and makes you look like an ideological coward at best and a nihilistic doom-sayer lamenting the fall of mankind at worst.

MTF