Definition of a human

[Xanikk999]

Humans are the only animal that can build cities, appreciate art, discover technology and have a speakable language.

Also have you seen an animal laugh or cry? Some do but its very rare.

 

[Xanikk999]

I just want to emphasize crying is unique to humans unless someone can prove me wrong. Its laughing thats not.

 

[skadistic]

Humans are the only animal that can build cities, appreciate art, discover technology and have a speakable language.

Also have you seen an animal laugh or cry? Some do but its very rare.

I beg to differ on the language thing.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

And humans don't ever fight wars for "no reason". It is always about resources - whether it is "the women of the neighboring band, and the forest that is so full of food", or their oil and metals, or even spiritual capital, war is just armed robbery. And war is not a unique human endeavor. Chimps also fight wars, in a very real sense.

 

[Yuri2356]

And humans don't ever fight wars for "no reason". It is always about resources - whether it is "the women of the neighboring band, and the forest that is so full of food", or their oil and metals, or even spiritual capital, war is just armed robbery. And war is not a unique human endeavor. Chimps also fight wars, in a very real sense.

As do a great number of species which share the common traits of living in groups, and marking distinct territories.

Human wars are just flashier and more well organized.

 

[Kyriakos]

Aristotle had defined human as "being walking on two legs; featherless".
Pretty good, since apes do not really walk around on two legs most of the time.
But Diogenes took all of the feathers out of a hen, and presented it as human, at which point the definition was again changed (i do not remember to what exactly though)

According to Plato, the etymology of the greek word for human (anthropos) is from ano (upwards) + prosko (observe), thus making human= observer of the above (with the meaning that the human intellect always expands).

 

[CaptainF]

If you look at the word "man" you can see that the etymology of the word is related to "manos" or hand. This would imply that mankind is set apart with its posession of hands.

However, I've noticed that with Spanish, the word is "hombre" and this sounds a lot like the other spanish word "hombro" which is shoulder. This would imply that mankind is set apart because he has shoulders.

So, I guess its whatever has hands and shoulders.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Aristotle had never seen a kangeroo.

 

[Perfection]

No Facial Ridges/Pointed ears.

 

[Souron]

Biblical definition: A son of Adam or a daughter of Eve. Also encompacing Adam and Eve themselves.

Biological Definition: Any Being that could produce fertile offspring with a present day human, barring age or injury. Also any being born of two humans.