Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer

amale · Post by **amale** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:08 am

I have been trying to define human beings.

now each one of you tell me what are the Characteristics required to be a human being. or what are human beings....

like human needs food

human has feelings etc.,:-6

K.Snyder · Post by **K.Snyder** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:25 am

I'm getting the feeling this is a homework assignment.

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:26 am

Wendybird wrote: Habitual bipedality

Large brain size (compared with body size)

Expanded planning and problem solving abilities

Language

Art and other forms of symbolic expression

Complex cultural learning dependent on symbolic information

Dependence on technology for survival

Varied diet, including domesticated plants and animals

Functional hairlessness

Worldwide geographic distribution and adaptation to diverse climates and habitats

Greater social complexity

Humour
ditto

plus jack daniels

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:30 am

Human beings are souls housed in a flesh casing. As with cars... some engines are more finely tuned than others.

Katy1 · Post by **Katy1** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:43 am

Mostly harmless...

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:44 am

Wendybird wrote: Habitual bipedality

Large brain size (compared with body size)

Expanded planning and problem solving abilities

Language

Art and other forms of symbolic expression

Complex cultural learning dependent on symbolic information

Dependence on technology for survival

Varied diet, including domesticated plants and animals

Functional hairlessness

Worldwide geographic distribution and adaptation to diverse climates and habitats

Greater social complexity

Humour

Will 5 out of 11 do?

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:57 am

Wendybird wrote: Which 5?

Darn I didnt think you would question me. Okay I admit its 4. No I'm not telling you, But i will admit the large Brain one.

weber · Post by **weber** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:01 am

A nonphysical soul within a physical body

feelings

emotions

conscience

reason

intellect

sensibility

sentient

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:24 am

I'd submit that a "soul" cannot be demonstrated and doesn't belong on that list. Every other item can be demonstrated by all great apes.

weber · Post by **weber** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:46 am

Lulu2 wrote: I'd submit that a "soul" cannot be demonstrated and doesn't belong on that list. Every other item can be demonstrated by all great apes.

My soul is what makes me who I am Lulu

My soul is me and everytime I talk or do anything, it is my soul, me, demonstrated. Without my soul, me, this body has no reason to be. Which is just the way I see it.

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:49 am

Besides Dolphins we are the only other species that has sex for pleasure as well as reproduction.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:53 am

Weber, you're speaking from a theoretical perspective, regarding your "animus," or essence. How does that differ from the "soul" of any living being? I think the question was what defines a HUMAN BEING.

If I'm reading it correctly, then, Wendybird seems to have come closest to the scientific definition with things that are demonstrable and can be proven.

(Edited to add that Bonobo chimps have sex for pleasure allll the live-long day! Check 'em out!

)

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:14 am

She can't help it, Flops! She's just da LOVE GODDESS! A MALE MAGNET!

weber · Post by **weber** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:24 am

Lulu2 wrote: Weber, you're speaking from a theoretical perspective, regarding your "animus," or essence. How does that differ from the "soul" of any living being? I think the question was what defines a HUMAN BEING.

If I'm reading it correctly, then, Wendybird seems to have come closest to the scientific definition with things that are demonstrable and can be proven.

(Edited to add that Bonobo chimps have sex for pleasure allll the live-long day! Check 'em out!

)

Well Lulu

if I didn't have a soul, I wouldn't be a human being. However, as I think about it, perhaps she is just talking about the human body. Like hair, which I don't have much of to talk about LOL.

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:54 am

We have the ability to reason right from wrong. good and evil. love and hate. happy, sad. ...blah blah blah.....

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:28 am

Apes can "lie" and feel strong emotions. We're certainly in the same family. Should they be classed as "human beings," too?

Bored_Wombat · Post by **Bored_Wombat** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:55 am

Lulu2;431875 wrote: Apes can "lie" and feel strong emotions. We're certainly in the same family. Should they be classed as "human beings," too?
If we need to differentiate between things that are human and that are not, the only definition that works, is that to be human you must be human born. (Although in the future, test-tube born from human genetic material may count.)

For instance, it is possible for a thing to be human in every respect, except that it is not human: bear with me.

If the universe is infinite, (look, it's a thought experiment, okay? The logic carries through to this universe), then there are an infinitely many planets. And on an infinitely large subset of these there is life. And on an infinite number of these, there has evolved life that looks very similar to us. In fact, there are an infinite number of these planets that have a life form alive now that has exactly the same genetic structure as me.

And of those there are great many who call their home plant "Zark".

Now one of these Zarkians, who has exactly my genetic makeup might be contacted in the future by earth, and we might have a discussion about culture or music or something.

And despite being in every other way human, he is not human, because he is Zarkian.

Conversely, humans born without intelligence or awareness of hearing or language, or with hair all over their bodies, are still human. After all, their mother and father are human.

... Pleased I could sort that out for you all ... It's been great.

I think an important aspect of humanness, is the awareness of others as also human, and the experience of not being alone in the world. To partake in society with equals.

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:00 am

Bored_Wombat;442110 wrote: If we need to differentiate between things that are human and that are not, the only definition that works, is that to be human you must be human born. (Although in the future, test-tube born from human genetic material may count.)

For instance, it is possible for a thing to be human in every respect, except that it is not human: bear with me.

If the universe is infinite, (look, it's a thought experiment, okay? The logic carries through to this universe), then there are an infinitely many planets. And on an infinitely large subset of these there is life. And on an infinite number of these, there has evolved life that looks very similar to us. In fact, there are an infinite number of these planets that have a life form alive now that has exactly the same genetic structure as me.

And of those there are great many who call their home plant "Zark".

Now one of these Zarkians, who has exactly my genetic makeup might be contacted in the future by earth, and we might have a discussion about culture or music or something.

And despite being in every other way human, he is not human, because he is Zarkian.

Conversely, humans born without intelligence or awareness of hearing or language, or with hair all over their bodies, are still human. After all, their mother and father are human.

... Pleased I could sort that out for you all ... It's been great.

I think an important aspect of humanness, is the awareness of others as also human, and the experience of not being alone in the world. To partake in society with equals.

yep that settles it for me

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:06 am

"I think an important aspect of humanness, is the awareness of others as also human, and the experience of not being alone in the world. To partake in society with equals."

++++++++++++++++ It's an important part of our human lives, but also an important part of ape/monkey culture, too.

What then sets "humans" apart from other primates?

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:16 am

Lulu2;442429 wrote: "I think an important aspect of humanness, is the awareness of others as also human, and the experience of not being alone in the world. To partake in society with equals."

++++++++++++++++ It's an important part of our human lives, but also an important part of ape/monkey culture, too.

What then sets "humans" apart from other primates?

Less hair?

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:17 am

"Less hair?" HAH...obviously, you never saw that guy I dated in the 70s!) :wah: :wah: :wah: