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Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:08 am
by amale
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
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:25 am
by K.Snyder
I'm getting the feeling this is a homework assignment.
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:26 am
by Carl44
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
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:30 am
by weeder
Human beings are souls housed in a flesh casing. As with cars... some engines are more finely tuned than others.
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:43 am
by Katy1
Mostly harmless...
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:44 am
by YZGI
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?
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:57 am
by YZGI
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.

Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:01 am
by weber
A nonphysical soul within a physical body
feelings
emotions
conscience
reason
intellect
sensibility
sentient
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:24 am
by Lulu2
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.
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:46 am
by weber
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.
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:49 am
by minks
Besides Dolphins we are the only other species that has sex for pleasure as well as reproduction.
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:53 am
by Lulu2
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!

)
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:14 am
by Lulu2
She can't help it, Flops! She's just da LOVE GODDESS! A MALE MAGNET!
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:24 am
by weber
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.
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:54 am
by guppy
We have the ability to reason right from wrong. good and evil. love and hate. happy, sad. ...blah blah blah.....
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:28 am
by Lulu2
Apes can "lie" and feel strong emotions. We're certainly in the same family. Should they be classed as "human beings," too?
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:55 am
by Bored_Wombat
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.
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:00 am
by Carl44
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

Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:06 am
by Lulu2
"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?
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:16 am
by YZGI
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?
Characteristics of Human Beings - all should answer
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:17 am
by Lulu2
"Less hair?" HAH...obviously, you never saw that guy I dated in the 70s!) :wah: :wah: :wah: