I came across this New York Times op-ed a few days ago: Humans Are Animals. Let's Get Over It, and thought it was an interesting view. I haven't read the article in depth and am not that interested in it's contents, but it does raise an interesting question: over the idea that humans don't see themselves as animals, and believe themselves distinct from the rest of the animal kingdom.
Even looking at something as fundamental as our scientific name, sapiens, we've framed ourselves as particularly more capable than other species, and not under some other context. This idea that we are special permeates much of our history.
So that's a starting point for discussion. I don't have any firm opinions about this, but I wonder what kind of inferences we could draw from this fact?
- is it true that all cultures view themselves as non-animal? If not, which cultures deviate?
- was there any historical delineation when some of us started seeing ourselves as distinct from nature?
- what can this artifact of our culture tell us about our collective psyche and human nature?
Looking forward to responses!
Even looking at something as fundamental as our scientific name, sapiens, we've framed ourselves as particularly more capable than other species, and not under some other context. This idea that we are special permeates much of our history.
So that's a starting point for discussion. I don't have any firm opinions about this, but I wonder what kind of inferences we could draw from this fact?
- is it true that all cultures view themselves as non-animal? If not, which cultures deviate?
- was there any historical delineation when some of us started seeing ourselves as distinct from nature?
- what can this artifact of our culture tell us about our collective psyche and human nature?
Looking forward to responses!