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What is the essence of being human? - 11/17/2007 11:40:49 PM

Vendaval

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So here is a philosophical question for everybody on a Saturday night.

What is the essence of being human?

Opposable thumbs? Internet Shopping? The ability to read and write?

All answers appreciated, both serious and humorous.

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/17/2007 11:45:41 PM

Lordandmaster

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I wonder how many other species of animals fuck each other in the ass. That sounds like a distinctly human invention.

Oh and I'm sure other animals don't circumsize themselves.

Other than that, I'm drawing a blank.

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/17/2007 11:50:02 PM

popeye1250

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Constant camplaining!

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/17/2007 11:53:30 PM

Lumus

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Vendaval

So here is a philosophical question for everybody on a Saturday night.

What is the essence of being human?

Opposable thumbs? Internet Shopping? The ability to read and write?

All answers appreciated, both serious and humorous.

I'm tempted to say laughter, but no one would grok it.

Maybe the overwhelming urge to vainly try to improve a perfectly functional system, apparently for the purpose of worsening things all around. We do that all the time...

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 4:15:03 AM

eyesopened

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Vendaval

So here is a philosophical question for everybody on a Saturday night.

What is the essence of being human?

Opposable thumbs? Internet Shopping? The ability to read and write?

All answers appreciated, both serious and humorous.

Mmmmm. Lots of animals have very sophisticated forms of communication. Internet Shopping is only possible by having opposable thumbs.....

i firmly believe that laughter is the one thing that really makes us human. A laugh is one of the very first things a baby does to communicate its happiness. While each person has a different sense of humor, laughter is universal.

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 4:51:46 AM

Aneirin

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To be human is to be creative

A time when mind, body and spirit are in perfect harmony and perfect happiness ensues.

< Message edited by Aneirin -- 11/18/2007 4:54:28 AM >

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 7:13:42 AM

juliaoceania

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This is similar to a question that I was asked in my very first anthropology course... what separates humans from other animals... and I could not think of anything significant that separates us from other animals....

Other animals seemingly have language (dolphins)

Other animals have tools

There would be one thing that might separate us from other animals, and that is culture... but even then that is not necessarily true either.

So perhaps it is the extent to which we have these things which makes us "human"

The older I get, the more connected I feel to everything around me, to the point that it all blurs into one thing... One Universe. Maybe that is airy fairy, but sometimes when I meditate and let go of who "I" am, there does not seem to be the separation between the "human" that is me, and everything else....

< Message edited by juliaoceania -- 11/18/2007 7:15:21 AM >

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 7:21:03 AM

Raechard

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Opposing thumbs and self awareness. Although I’ve had this debate and some think that monkeys are self aware too, I'm not convinced. We are the only ones that have made procreation a recreational activity.

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 7:30:45 AM

juliaoceania

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Raechard

Opposing thumbs and self awareness. Although I’ve had this debate and some think that monkeys are self aware too, I'm not convinced. We are the only ones that have made procreation a recreational activity.

Bonobos screw for fun too

Edited to add, it is chimps that are self aware, monkeys not so much so, and no they are not the same thing

< Message edited by juliaoceania -- 11/18/2007 7:33:27 AM >

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 7:48:55 AM

Raechard

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Chimps, monkey’s I don’t care. I’ve never asked a Bonobo the same questions you have it seems.

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 7:50:43 AM

juliaoceania

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Raechard

Chimps, monkey’s I don’t care. I’ve never asked a Bonobo the same questions you have it seems.

Well I am an anthropologist, more of the cultural sort, so it is something that I know about.. no need to get snarky over it

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 7:54:30 AM

Raechard

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Well my study of people tends to lead me to believe there will always be someone to contradict you or outdo you. For example the other day I commented on a 48 hour work week and what do you know someone had done a sixty hour week. I find it funny and how you interpret the emotions I have while writing is all in your head.

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えへまにんへえや
Nobody wants to listen to the same song over and over again!

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 7:57:24 AM

juliaoceania

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I have no interpretation on your emotional states dude. I was merely saying that your response of "not caring" about the information I provided seemed rather snarky... if that was not your intention, then I misread your words....

There are a great many things I do not know about in this world.. many I am ignorant about, but I rather enjoy getting new information. I do not see it as an affront to me when someone corrects me, I am appreciative of it... but that is just me

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 8:00:24 AM

Raechard

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Well you have to ask yourself if your corrections changed the basis of what I said and apart from the Bonobo point I think not. What the fucks a Bonobo anyway?

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えへまにんへえや
Nobody wants to listen to the same song over and over again!

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 8:04:05 AM

juliaoceania

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Raechard

Well you have to ask yourself if your corrections changed the basis of what I said and apart from the Bonobo point I think not. What the fucks a Bonobo anyway?

A Bonobo is a species of chimp, and you were stating that monkeys were thought to be self aware, they aren't...., only humans, orangutans and chimpanzees have self awareness...there is a big difference between monkeys and the other primates I have mentioned.

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Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 8:07:07 AM

Raechard

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I said I don't think any animals are self aware in truth and I don't think there is any good test for self awareness. So put chimps in front of a mirror with labels on their heads if that’s what turns you on.

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えへまにんへえや
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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 8:08:41 AM

szobras

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I think it is the "essence" that is differs. We are just a different make and model animal, so we operate differently.

< Message edited by szobras -- 11/18/2007 8:10:44 AM >

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 8:12:12 AM

Real0ne

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Vendaval

So here is a philosophical question for everybody on a Saturday night.

What is the essence of being human?

Opposable thumbs? Internet Shopping? The ability to read and write?

All answers appreciated, both serious and humorous.

In its most simple form:

I am.

Or "I think therefore I am"

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 8:13:07 AM

Raechard

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If someone thinks you are then what are they?

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RE: What is the essence of being human? - 11/18/2007 8:13:20 AM

Owner59

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I was taught that what makes us different,is a linear memory and the ability to plan and think about the future.

A past and a future, are what make us unique.

It`s a bit of a curse though,b/c so many folks are living in the past,and/or worried about the future.

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