Human Animals?

[The Hammer]

Are humans really animals? Or are we some kind of Spiritually blessed non-animal entity?

Honestly, though, the other thread keeps making me think of this thread so I'm opening it up.

Come One, come All.

 

[YmirGF]

People are animals.

Um, ya know... biology...

*giggles*

Anyone who doubts that human beings are animals need only visit their nearest prison for a weekend. That ought to do, for most.

 

[JustGeorge]

We've definitely got animal in us, the way I see it.

Is there something else? I'm unsure. Maybe? Maybe not?

 

[1137]

Animal bodies sure, but the body isn't the whole.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Are humans really animals?

Yes.

Or are we some kind of Spiritually blessed non-animal entity?

No.

Honestly, though, the other thread keeps making me think of this thread so I'm opening it up.

Come One, come All.

Apologies for the long-winded reply.

 

[SalixIncendium]

We've definitely got animal in us...

And this is the leading cause of indigestion...

 

[SalixIncendium]

We've definitely got animal in us...

Alternately...

Vegans and vegetarians don't.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Well God (possibly) gave us a big clue by us having so much DNA in common with other primates and to all other life, unless this was either simply a ruse (so naughty then - bad God!) or an example of someone/God making things (all of life) from what was available in stock, and hence why we have so much in common with other life. The most logical explanation usually shines through though - to most.

 

[Erebus]

We're multicellular organisms and we aren't plants or fungi. I'm no biologist but I don't think that leaves many options other than animal. Admittedly, I've met a couple of people who could well be slime molds but they're the exception rather than the rule.

I personally don't see us as more spiritually blessed than any other part of the universe. We just have a bit of an identity crisis when compared with the rest of our little planet.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Are humans really animals? Or are we some kind of Spiritually blessed non-animal entity?

Honestly, though, the other thread keeps making me think of this thread so I'm opening it up.

Come One, come All.

We can in our relationships do better than other animals, but it is a very tiny difference. We are a lot like other animals. Its hard to put my finger on the difference, but I know there is one. Perhaps it is our awareness. For one thing we each think of ourselves as separate from other people. There is not a lot of hive thinking though there is group thinking. We also wonder why we exist. I don't think other animals wonder about such things. Many would if they had the capacity.

 

[SalixIncendium]

We can in our relationships do better than other animals...

In what ways?

 

[Quintessence]

Honestly, though, the other thread keeps making me think of this thread so I'm opening it up.

I know, right?

Another question - why does modern, domesticated Western culture so often consider "animal" an insult, anyway? Geez... so speciesist...

 

[Brickjectivity]

In what ways?

We can forgive, not merely forget or change our mood. Its not typical, but we can. I am trying to though it is a confusing and difficult process. Often we have forgive out of necessity, but it can also be done out of sheer discipline.

We also have unusual people, sometimes, who raise the standard of human treatment towards each other. A society can become a very pleasant and safe place.

 

[1137]

I know, right?

Another question - why does modern, domesticated Western culture so often consider "animal" an insult, anyway? Geez... so speciesist...

It's actually pretty interesting. For instance skeptics of dehumanization say such rhetoric isn't inherently dehumanizing. An example would be sports teams: the broncos, the ravens, etc, or calling an athlete a bull.

 

[YmirGF]

I know, right?

Another question - why does modern, domesticated Western culture so often consider "animal" an insult, anyway? Geez... so speciesist...

Though I do not think we should all become knuckle-draggers tomorrow, I do feel that being in denial over our ancestry is not helpful to our mental health as a species. Due to our intelligence, we have convinced ourselves that we are not a part of the animal "kingdom" which we otherwise adore. I wonder, has living in societies given us an unnatural sense of entitlement?

 

[JustGeorge]

And this is the leading cause of indigestion...

Explains my terrible stomach ache last night...

Gotta lay off the drumsticks.

We can forgive, not merely forget or change our mood. Its not typical, but we can. I am trying to though it is a confusing and difficult process. Often we have forgive out of necessity, but it can also be done out of sheer discipline.

I think I've seen the dogs forgive each other after some terrible fights. I also had one cat hold 'infidelity' over another cat's head(even though she herself didn't understand this concept). I wonder if it depends on the animal and circumstance.

We also have unusual people, sometimes, who raise the standard of human treatment towards each other. A society can become a very pleasant and safe place.

We have those who do the opposite, too.

 

[Secret Chief]

Yes.


No.


Apologies for the long-winded reply.

Same.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I think I've seen the dogs forgive each other after some terrible fights. I also had one cat hold 'infidelity' over another cat's head(even though she herself didn't understand this concept). I wonder if it depends on the animal and circumstance.

Dogs are bred to be childlike. They never truly mature. They also are irrationally loyal. They are creatures ruled by feelings. Doesn't mean they don't love us though. They do.

 

[Quintessence]

Though I do not think we should all become knuckle-draggers tomorrow, I do feel that being in denial over our ancestry is not helpful to our mental health as a species. Due to our intelligence, we have convinced ourselves that we are not a part of the animal "kingdom" which we otherwise adore. I wonder, has living in societies given us an unnatural sense of entitlement?

I dunno what a "knuckle-dragger" is, but domesticated humans are absolutely entitled - that's a byproduct of domestication. I wouldn't call it "unnatural" really, but humans thinking they're entitled to their domesticated living ways is... well, on the one hand it's kind of just adorable. On the other hand, it is incredibly ecologically destructive and has spiraled the planet into a sixth mass extinction event.

 

[JustGeorge]

Dogs are bred to be childlike. They never truly mature. They also are irrationally loyal. They are creatures ruled by feelings. Doesn't mean they don't love us though. They do.

I don't know. I find them all the be pretty individual, though they do seem more emotional than other species I've been around(except perhaps people).