What Does It Mean to Be Human?

HUMA 101: Introduction to Humanities

Heartland Community CollegeAuthor: Sharon Migotsky

As you know, humans are one species of animal.

We don’t really like to think of ourselves as animals, though.

As long as scientists have categorized humans as one species of animal, humans have tried to pin down the differences between humans and other animals by defining what it means to be human.

Some theorists have argued that humans are the only animals with opposable thumbs.

But opposable thumbs only matter when using tools.

Some theorists have defined humans as the only animals that use tools.

This isn’t true, though--

Many animals use tools.

For example, some monkeys use sticks as utensils for gathering and eating insects.

Some linguists argue that humans are the only animals that communicate.

But anyone with a pet knows that animals do a lot of things to communicate needs, wants, warnings, etc.

And even those without pets realize that all animals communicate.

Birds sing to attract mates and mark territory, prairie dogs yip to warn of danger, etc.

Some linguists have argued that humans are the only animals that not only communicate, but have actual language.

But some animals, such as dolphins & whales, have sophisticated systems of language. (Even if humans aren’t sophisticated enough to understand them!)

Some, like anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss, argue that humans are the only animals to cook their food.

But--there are many different ways to prepare and cook food.

“Cooking” is usually defined as “altering the food substance in some way.”

You can argue that sushi is “cooked,” since it’s generally rolled up and prepared.

And ceviche is “cooked” by marinating raw fish in lime juice until an enzymatic change takes place.

So--just as humans sometimes eat raw foods, some animals alter their food substantially enough to be considered “cooking.”

Sometimes humans are defined as “the only animals to manipulate their environment.”

However, other animals manipulate their environments by building nests, digging tunnels, etc.

(Although humans are the only animals short-sighted enough to manipulate the environment to the point of irreparable damage.)

Some have argued that humans are the only animals to kill for reasons other than survival, or because of rabies.

But polar bears, apparently, sometimes kill for reasons other than rabies, food, territory, or protecting offspring--boredom, perhaps?

So maybe the best distinction between humans and other animals is that, in every culture and every historical period, humans are the only animals to create things without immediate survival value.

Humans are the only animals that choose to create art.

The End