What does it mean to be Human?
 

What does it mean to be human?
What do you think? Not just physical attributes, but mental ones also. What characteristics do you think defines human? Give your definition of human.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Conscience.

To be aware of your existence, rather than to simply exist.

That's it in a nutshell.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Humans seek to be taught.
No other animal does this.
It defines us.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Ah but aren't animals aware of their existance?
A good point. But to be taught what exactly?

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

“Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the tenacity to change the things I can, and the wisdom not to fuck up” – Stephen King

That pretty much is the directive I use every day. Just out of curiosity I searched the web on this posting and everyone under the sun had a different concept of what it means to be human. That just goes to show no one really knows, and if they do they don’t really know it. I for one just try to get by, live my life with a preset moral code that I prescribe too that allows me to function in the world with my fellow humans, and be thankful I was fortunate enough to be born in a country that allows me to do so.

Actually I read a study on this one, been several years, but extensive research has shown that some animals may have a concept, but that is not the same as being sentient, at least not as we understand it. For example dogs and cats are aware of minute concepts because they have an intellectual 'instinctive' cognitive ability of a human 2 or 3 year-old, which is about the same time human children start to grasp the concept of being self aware (you know, the what and why stage). Yet for our domesticated friends, it never quite gets to this stage and some research suggests this may be why cats and dogs share a kinship with us (although, I think dogs stick with us, because we share something in common: we are both pack animals). The majority of animials react on instinct; alive but not aware. Now take dolphins, science is still atempting to figure out their language, yes language a distinct one. Modern computers with sophisticated software suggest dolphin linguistics are far more advanced than our own, and that they may be "self aware" to the extent of being sentient liken to early humanoids or more, we just don't know for sure. The obvious question, if this is true how come they are not at a similar stage as we, and science suggests that we got the upper hand (no pun intended) with opposable digits and living on land. Having to dwell in a changing environment forces a species to adapt or die, and thus new skills are learned advancing our concepts - least that's what anthropology suggests.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

A monkey with not so much hair and a little bigger brain.

That's it.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

human = dosen't know how to take care of his own planet

-nuff said.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

humans are a cancer to the planet and the most powerfull and feared thing in the world

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Don't you love all these pessimistic dickheads coming and fucking up the thread?

A human in my opinion, is an animal. An animal that is on a higher level of consciousness and a higher mental tier than the others, it can make mistakes and can be naturally territorial, with the right conditioning. A necessity that one mass to be considered morally human is a basic sense of compassion and conscious. Not the thought conscious, mind you, but a feeling or a link for your fellow man, so you won't go around butchering them or performing other atrocities for various reasons.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

O...K...:rolleyes:

:ditto:

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Took the words right out of my mouth.
You are giving a good point there, but we still react on instinct. If something happens to fast for our mind to react to, it resorts to instinct. Or if our adrenilin is going, the mind will base all actions on instinct. And another example of humans striving to learn, but computers are a man made item, and therefor, are unable to comprehand anymore of something then we are. Who is to say that animals don't acknowlage that they exist? We can only prove so much.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

1) Keeping records of our accomplishments, good and bad and recognizing achievements like literature and music and medicine. To also remember those who have passed before us so they will be remembered.

2) The ability for a person to put his life on the line for a total stranger (Like a fireman for instance) or to sacrifice their life for same person. "There exists no greater love than a man who gives his life for his fellow man". The example I speak of are people in Concentration camps of waiting to be executed who stepped forward and took the place of a friend or fellow prisoner knowing their fate is certain death.

3) The ability to do without to help someone who is also in need. Ergo you need food, money, or medicine, but you give it up to help someone who is also in bad or worse shape.

4) The ability to be moved to action by compassion.

5) The stablishment of religion. As far as we know man is the only species to practice and follow religion.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Everything. 99% of things a human does it taught. Which means so much of someone's personality is environmental influences, coupled with this is a higher capacity to learn than other animals.

but humans do have free thought, so they may 'organize' all of these things they have learned however they want.

and on a less serious note; humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.

other than that; humans aren't much different from most mammals. (which also experience many of our emotions) and we also act in similar ways as well; we fear things that are different, have the desire to be accepted, ect.)

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

On a philosophical level I believe Anlushac has pretty much covered all the bases. Humans are, at their core, emotional. As far as we know we are the only animal that often acts because of some emotion, for good or evil. Most animals do what they do because that is how they survive. WE often do what we do not to survive, but to allow others to survive. You sometimes see this in animals, but only in a mother caring for her young, and very occasionally, such as in herds of bison, a large family unit caring for an individual. But humans are the only species that will go out of their way to help a perfect stranger. In fact many animals would simply ignore a fellow hurt animal, and if they happen to be a carnivore, they may very well devour them.

So maybe the question should also be, why are we like this? Is it just DNA and "how we are" , is it as some suggest because of some kind of god or higher power? Is it some yet to be discovered "soul" that exists outside of our physical body? What is it?

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Many humans would also readily ignore a fellow hurt human and historically speaking have done so when those humans fall outside their own tribal groups more often than not. Personally I am more inclined to believe that it's an effect of a relatively recent social conditioning effect than anything innate about humans that sets them aside from others.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Conscience.

And having opposable thumbs.

Wanting to expand our knowledge about everything fits in too.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

The obessive-compulsive behaviour to catalog, name, and label EVERYTHING

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Koalas have four opposable thumbs. ;)

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

I think compassion and empathy is what makes us truly human. Those that lack or have a twisted sense of that lack fundamental human characteristics.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

To be human is to conform to the accepted standards of behaviour in a given society at that specific time. Try violating them and see how quickly the label is denied you.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

Human- an organism with a relatively advanced awareness of the world around them and how it relates to them. They are made distinct by their ability to exact their will on each other and their ecosystems in a way that is more effective than any other form of animalistic dominance. In short; advanced civilization

Emotions are not unique to humanity, they are present in many life forms. We default that these are automatic responses regarding the survival of the life form or their favored kin. This thereby "justifies" whatever actions we see fit to commit upon them to our fellow humans. When a calf is taken from the cow, the mother cries; when a dog feels shame, they hide their face; when a bird feels anger or sorrow, it screams. Take for example a barn swallow that sees a dead kin on the road, they attempt to nudge it, to wake it up, and when they can't, they just begin to scream. We are not very different than animals in the case of emotions; it's simply that it's easier to kill something when you don't have to feel remorse about it.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

The fact that we do not have multiple obvious acts that we all do together, like migration or whatever.

We are all over the earth (sans aqua). Most animals are not.

Re: What does it mean to be Human?
 

I think Desire is a defining characteristic in a human. I would of typed more but most of you guys said it!