The Big Old Question: What Makes Us Human?
We have been pondering the topic for many years. As my AP Literature class was reading Heart of Darkness in class, we discussed qualities that make us human. My group came up with 5 qualities. Here are 5 qualities that distinguish us from any other species:
1. Language and speech.
Thousands of years ago, humans diverged from an early species of ape and have evolved to the species we are now. Our mouths are significantly smaller. The tongue became more flexible, allowing us to speak more precisely. Furthermore, we are capable to learn and speak different languages.
Thousands of years ago, humans diverged from an early species of ape and have evolved to the species we are now. Our mouths are significantly smaller. The tongue became more flexible, allowing us to speak more precisely. Furthermore, we are capable to learn and speak different languages.
2. Empathy.
Empathy is the ability to step in someone else's shoe. To understand how they are feeling. When we experience real empathy, we let our ego stand down and we merge with another person. By merge I mean you let your boundaries melt away. The presence of empathy heals conflict with the law, different ethnicities, or in a school setting.
Empathy is the ability to step in someone else's shoe. To understand how they are feeling. When we experience real empathy, we let our ego stand down and we merge with another person. By merge I mean you let your boundaries melt away. The presence of empathy heals conflict with the law, different ethnicities, or in a school setting.
3. Morals and Ethics.
Humans negotiate conduct through socially created values and codes of conduct. We select behaviors to minimize conflict and strengthen social ties among others. It is where we ask ourselves what is wrong and what is right. Everyone's moral compass points in a different direction. Humans are able to reflect on and judge ours or other's behavior.
4. Self Awareness.
When we focus our attention on ourselves, we evaluate and compare our current behavior to our morals and values. It allows us to evaluate ourselves in order to know our limitations and make choices based on our capabilities.
Humans negotiate conduct through socially created values and codes of conduct. We select behaviors to minimize conflict and strengthen social ties among others. It is where we ask ourselves what is wrong and what is right. Everyone's moral compass points in a different direction. Humans are able to reflect on and judge ours or other's behavior.
4. Self Awareness.
When we focus our attention on ourselves, we evaluate and compare our current behavior to our morals and values. It allows us to evaluate ourselves in order to know our limitations and make choices based on our capabilities.
5. Laws and Authority.
Humans appointed authoritative figures to give society a sense of security and balance. However, social norms and our society pressure us to conform and follow regulations and laws. Animals do not pressure each other to follow a certain authority.
Humans appointed authoritative figures to give society a sense of security and balance. However, social norms and our society pressure us to conform and follow regulations and laws. Animals do not pressure each other to follow a certain authority.
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