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What does it mean to be Human?
- Thread starter Willamena
- Start date
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
Live until you die?
Guitar's Cry
Disciple of Pan
A human could be defined scientifically, through use of taxonomy and genetics and such.
A human could also be defined artistically, through creative expression of the Human Experience.
Being human is really both. It is the experience of being a living creature with our special genetic, physiological, and psychological constructs. We are emotional and rational beings, making us both logical and illogical. We are boundless with our imagination!
Hope this was what you were looking for!
A human could also be defined artistically, through creative expression of the Human Experience.
Being human is really both. It is the experience of being a living creature with our special genetic, physiological, and psychological constructs. We are emotional and rational beings, making us both logical and illogical. We are boundless with our imagination!
Hope this was what you were looking for!
Willamena said:
A human is an animal, but it lacks the dramatic appeal if the Elephant Man exclaimed - - "I am not a Persian Rug, I am a HUMAN BEING!!!"
It tested poorly with viewers, so it was pulled and the writers hoped nobody would nitpick enough on the animal/human being line.
In another post, I found the opportunity to proclaim:
'Self' is the subject at the centre of perception. The Image of Self is the knowledge of our faculties that we clothe ourselves in by virtue of being in relation to the world. If there is no self, then there is no perception. It is perception that sets up a subject, and perspective that creates the divide between subject and object.
'Self' is what it is to be.
'Image of Self' is what it is to be human.
The idea is that what makes us human are the bits of knowledge that we gather about what we are capable of, and how we use that. What do you think of this idea?'Self' is what it is to be.
'Image of Self' is what it is to be human.
Mavrikmind
Active Member
As humans like someone else said, our imagination is boundless. that is what makes us unique. We as animals have transcended above just thinking about food, shelter, and procreation. With our imagination, nothing is imposible, nothing is unachievable. To be Human is to forever push the limits of thought and imagination. And to forever ask this very question. I think this question has as many answeres as there are humans on the face of this planet.
eudaimonia
Fellowship of Reason
Hema said:
To me, when we realize that God doesn't exist, and that the power we actualize within ourselves was ours all along, that is an enlightenment.
eudaimonia,
Mark
eudaimonia
Fellowship of Reason
To answer the OP, if asking what it means to be human is the same thing as asking: "What should I do with my life?" then I will provide my answer.
The meaning of life is to flourish, i.e. to achieve eudaimonia.
We flourish in society as unique individuals. The precise list of ingredients (values) and their proportions (priorities) in the recipe of one's flourishing will depend on many individual factors, such as one's own traits and circumstances.
However, there are a few major themes that emerge due to our shared humanity.
eudaimonia,
Mark
The meaning of life is to flourish, i.e. to achieve eudaimonia.
We flourish in society as unique individuals. The precise list of ingredients (values) and their proportions (priorities) in the recipe of one's flourishing will depend on many individual factors, such as one's own traits and circumstances.
However, there are a few major themes that emerge due to our shared humanity.
- We ought to examine what it means to be human -- precisely what was asked in the OP.
- We should develop our vital powers, such as rationality, creative talents, moral character, etc. In a word, to self-actualize.
- We ought to cultivate self-esteem and a positive sense of life.
- We should value our various relationships with other human beings, e.g. family, friendship, and community. We should nourish a benevolent regard for others.
eudaimonia,
Mark