Essence

Larz · Post by **Larz** » 2002-10-25 04:29pm

I'm pretty sure most people on the board will read this and laugh at me, but I was wondering what everyone thought the essence of being human was? The essence of human character, our personality, what makes humans what they are. I know, this is hypothetical philosophy, but I like philosophy and pose the question all the same.

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2002-10-25 04:30pm

MIDICHLORIANS!

Oh wait, that's George's fuck-up.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2002-10-26 01:57am

There is no magical essence of being human. We simply have a little more intelligence than our nearest competitor, and opposable thumbs. Everything else is the result of history: building up of knowledge cumulatively over thousands of years and passing it onto the next generation through education and literature.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2002-10-26 02:30am

I would say that sentience has allowed us to actually develop philosophy. To actually think about more than just ourselves and our wants. I think that the fact that survival is no longer as major a battle allows us to think about our place in the universe. To that end the ability and desire to help others with risk to ourselves for more than just survival of the species is what makes us truly human.

That and the ability to make porn.

SWPIGWANG · Post by **SWPIGWANG** » 2002-10-26 02:47am

delusional self inflation

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-10-26 03:01am

I can't remember what this line is from, but I love it...

"They eat, sleep, reproduce, just like us. They just don't kid themselves into thinking that there is a greater purpose to it all."

Evil Sadistic Bastard · Post by **Evil Sadistic Bastard** » 2002-10-26 07:04am

What makes us different from animals is that animals don't do anal.

Cpt_Frank · Post by **Cpt_Frank** » 2002-10-26 08:48am

What makes humans special is that they manipulate their enviroment, and in such a way that they massively change it to fit their preferences, they subdue it.