Viewing from Anothers Perspective Sets Humans Apart?

Recently I discussed what sets humans apart from other animals and species. The basic question, which has been kicked around for centuries is what makes man so unique? So, different than the other species we see? Many immediately take their religious doctrine and use it to answer the question; they say things like "God made us in his image." The animals were put here for us to use, eat, fish and etc; they are indeed here to serve man? After kicking around such notions which cannot be proved either way; a gentleman, David, came up with an interesting concept.

Of course he too borrowed the concept from his readings and learnings and made it part of his belief system. Here is how it goes; "empathy is what sets us apart" basically that is it. Here is David's longer version:

"Empathy: If anything, the ability to see from another's perspective is what sets humans apart from the rest of the animals. It is the basis of many of the qualities that we hold in highest regard: kindness, charity, mercy, welfare, forgiveness. Far from being irrational, empathy confers a distinct advantage in any social situation. It provides a foundation for promises, contracts, and deals. To a large extent it is the glue that binds society."

I completely had to reject this and although I was polite; obviously not wanting any coffee spilled on my face here is why and where I differ and my basis for such. Although you might be able to give other examples such as a dog going over to a child who fell off his skateboard and licking his face or some such event you observed. I have a more compelling argument against David's notion: Actually chimpanzees that have been taught sign language have empathy too and from the other human's perspective. In fact this has been well documented by a Washington State research facility. A woman who was pregnant came to work everyday with the Chimps. Then one day she was missing for about a week, she had miss carried and then her stomach was small again, the Chimp asked what happened in sign language and where is the baby? The woman told her back, "it died" the chimp started to cry and hug that lady and said it was "sooo sorry' in sign language?

So in fact empathy is not only a human trait, David will need to try again. As matter of fact, I am still unconvinced for sure humans are that special in anything really. And on further study of other known earth species, I cannot come up with one single difference that sets humans apart. Think on this; let me know if you come up with something.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

---

Some Ponderable Questions

I am nothing if not inquisitive. Ask any person who... Read More

Slavers Claim To be Slaves - Taxation

The United States of America was planned by elite members... Read More

Dorothy Dunn and Primitive Art

The artist's of tribes of the Great Plains left their... Read More

The Galileo Conspiracy: 5 Questions Your Science Professors Hope You Never Ask

As a young lad, I took on my first scientific... Read More

Man Is Not An Island

Our thoughts do not take leave of absence.They are actually... Read More

Privilege - Alfred Lee Loomis and Hecateus

ALFRED LEE LOOMIS:Privilege sometimes leads to productivity and creativity through... Read More

I Wouldnt Change A Thing

CHAPTER ONE: From Riches to Rags:When I look back upon... Read More

Star-Fire Ceremony

The Templar flag Columbus and da Gama traveled under was... Read More

Culture and Knowledge

In eastern Cultures the passing of thought was considered valuable,... Read More

Purpose

There is no God.Belief is a stray sentiment; it functions... Read More

The Pertinence of Nudity

Every kind of nudity is an abstraction. A man without... Read More

The Knowledge Filter

"[I often get] the feeling that the very concept of... Read More

Einstein and Eirugena

ALBERT EINSTEIN: - "I am satisfied with the Mysteries of... Read More

Checked Into Nirvana. Where Is Joy?

Eckhart Tolle lived upto his twenty ninth year in a... Read More

Viewing from Anothers Perspective Sets Humans Apart?

Recently I discussed what sets humans apart from other animals... Read More

Life in the Universe Part II

We are most probably not the only beings in the... Read More

Common Psi-sense

Up until the start of the 20th Century there was... Read More

Simple Words

The words, the thoughts, the processes go on and on.As... Read More

What Is Destiny? Is There Some Thing Called Free Will?

One of the greatest and everlasting debates of humanity has... Read More

Fire Walkers

DERVISH: - Whirling and ecstatically altering their conscious and soul... Read More

Conspiracy Theorist

Rudyard Kipling on Masonry: "the closest thing to a religion... Read More

The Cosmic Eggs

One of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World is... Read More

The Magi

I find no real fault in Constantine's inclusion or plagiarization... Read More

Quotes to Think About

INSPIRATIONAL COMMENTS:"There is a principle which is a bar against... Read More

Archetypes

DEPTH PSYCHOLOGY (ARCHETYPES): - "All material bodies are condensations of... Read More

The Tree of Life and Allies

There are names in many languages and cultures or even... Read More

Platos Atlantis: Fact, Fiction or Prophecy?

Atlantis is often described as paranormal or mythical, but is... Read More

Visions Of Heaven And Hell On Earth

Let us now pessimistically endeavour to communication the sentient of... Read More

Animus Mundi and Intelligent Design

Animus Mundi:The World Mind or Critical Mass of intellectual and... Read More

In Answer To: Words Of Encouragement

Throughout my life, I have always known that it is... Read More

Guerrilla Mythbusting: 5 Snappy Rules For Spotting and Exposing Popular Nonsense

College students tend to wax enthusiastic about the lessons they... Read More

William Butler Yeats

There are adepts outside of what is called alchemy who... Read More

Nature of Visual Representation

Nature is often called "red in tooth and claw", this... Read More