frogza

What makes humans so different from the rest of the animal kingdom? Is it superior problem solving skills, intellect, tool use, murder, divine will or something else?

I think that there are a few things that make us distinct. First is our ability to not be simply the product of our environment. I can stand back and determine how I will react to various stimuli, whereas, in the rest of the animal kingdom, an individuals general attitude and behavior is determined almost exclusively by their environment. Humans are by far the most successful species at making their environment change to suit their desires and/or values.

I think our intellect also sets us apart. Our minds allow us to make and use complex tools, to understand how things work, to sympathize/empathize with others and keep ourselves from being complete slaves to our passions and appetites.

I also believe in God and that he created humans to be different and better than the rest of His creations. So I also have to say that divine will is part of what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom.

What do you think? Are we different? Better? Worse? What makes us different?