How Are Humans More "Special" Than Other Animals?
EDIT: Excuse the previous title, it was more directed toward religions that assert a disjunct between humans and animals.
They're not because...
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They are because...
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I understand "special" may invoke intraspecific partiality, but correctly assuming that most humans believe animals should be hunted, farmed, reared, etc., and not humans, would be suggestive of [humans] believing themselves as being 'special'. All arguments for why humans are special seem to fail only insofar as they invoke false dichotomies differentiating aspects and features from other animals: "Look at the monument that we built, let's see an animal do that!" yet I'm sure a termite mound seems just as 'magnificent' (in terms of size) to a termite (though termites may not perceive the mound in the same way we perceive a monument, but that's irrelevant). The point is, everything that humans do seems to be apparent somewhere else in the animal kingdom, and if anyone could point out just one thing that suggests otherwise, please, feel free to do so (except language, such dispute will just end up being a debacle). Side: They're not because...
I just want to point out that Cartman's response is invalidated by the use of "language" for the creation of this debate. 1) By animals, I am assuming you mean the kingdom Animalia. 2) I am assuming you meant the question "How are humans distinct from all other animals?" as all animal species are distinct from one another by definition. 3) By distinct, I am assuming you mean superior/special/unique/etc., instead of the actual definition. All matter is distinct from one another, unless if you are a Buddhist or a photon. Humans are not distinct from all other animals. We do not possess an attribute so distinct as to separate ourselves from the rest of the kingdom. All attributes fall onto a spectrum of various dimensions, from physical endurance to overall intelligence. Each of these can be broken down into subcategories and those broken down even further and so on. While humans are probably at the apex of overall intelligence in the Animalia kingdom, we are still a part of the spectrum. Side: They're not because...
Cartman's response is invalidated by the use of "language" for the creation of this debate. WHAT --- Cartman simply pointed out that human languages are distinct from other animal languages. Do you argue that the level at which humans create and use language, isn't far beyond the cognitive abilities of other animals. What is invalid about Cartman's response? 3) By distinct, I am assuming you mean superior/special/unique/etc., instead of the actual definition. Why due you assume anything other than the "actual definition"? While humans are probably at the apex of overall intelligence in the Animalia kingdom, we are still a part of the spectrum. Daaaaaaaa who said we were not? - Would you prefer negative comparisons for some reason? Humans can't run or swim as fast as many other distinct animals. Humans ability to fly is distinctly different than that of most birds. Human ability to hear, smell and see are distinctively different from many other animals. Place a human in a field with any other animal, and explain why we can so easily distinguish the human. Side: They are because...
WHAT --- Cartman simply pointed out that human languages are distinct from other animal languages. Do you argue that the level at which humans create and use language, isn't far beyond the cognitive abilities of other animals. What is invalid about Cartman's response? You should go practice identifying jokes on the internet. Why due you assume anything other than the "actual definition"? The actual definition would make this a frivolous debate. All species are by definition distinct from one another. That is how taxonomy works. Daaaaaaaa who said we were not? In order for humans to be distinct from every other animal, humans would have to fall outside of the spectrum. That was the premise of my claim. Would you prefer negative comparisons for some reason? Humans can't run or swim as fast as many other distinct animals. Humans ability to fly is distinctly different than that of most birds. Human ability to hear, smell and see are distinctively different from many other animals. Place a human in a field with any other animal, and explain why we can so easily distinguish the human. You have just illustrated why I assumed the creator meant to use another term. Since you quoted my third assumption, I am not sure why you are still confused. Side: They're not because...
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We have written language, artificially enhanced communications, much more sophisticated technology than is evident in other animals, we live by the millions in concrete cities of our own making, we know what the moon is, we believe that we are a tiny speck in a very large universe, we use toilets and make ice cream. Side: They are because...
No, I believe that we know that the moon is a satellite orbiting the earth. I know that we currently believe we exist within a universe of galaxies. I do not know that the other animals know what lights in the night sky are, nor do i believe that they believe anything. In know that I believe these are some if the differences. Side: They're not because...
Human are more special because we have the ability to change our own future not only as individuals but as a hole. Its about choosing destiny. animals are at our mercy their future is determined by humans. We can choose to let a species grow and become abundant or we can end them. Side: They are because...
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