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

---

Choice and Social Acceptance in Human Organizations

Let's discuss choice and social acceptance. I had the most... Read More

Checked Into Nirvana. Where Is Joy?

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

Youre Wrong

Isn't it amazing how often you're wrong? I mean that... Read More

Tempus Fugit and the Dollar Doesnt

Money is time, a commodity which can be used to... Read More

Father Ernetti and the Philosophers Stone

And there will be many 'experts' who say that light... Read More

Knowledge and Study of Social Science

. Human being Knowledge & social scienceHuman beings are the... Read More

Slavers Claim To be Slaves - Taxation

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

From Experience: Is It the Circle of Life?

All of it in one way or another a part... Read More

Conspiracy Theorist

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

The Animal and the Human

Recent DNA analyses have revealed that humans share a majority... Read More

Critical Thinking To Go: Dodging The Pepperoni Pizza Fallacy

Today we commonly hear in the news journalistic items about... Read More

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Web

I really believe there are things nobody would see if... Read More

Life in the Universe; Part 1

Is there life ( extraterrestrial life or any other form... Read More

My Insight into Numerology

From time to time, we wonder about the mystery that... Read More

Teilhard de Chardin

FATHER PIERRE TEILHARD de CHARDIN:He is one of my heroes... Read More

The Magi

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

Archetypes

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

DNA, Fiction and Society; How it Affects Thought

A book called the Seven Daughters of Eve by Richard... Read More

Illuminati in Kentucky

Illuminati in Kentucky:My fevered imagination includes the probability that Andrew... Read More

The Pertinence of Nudity

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

Fire Walkers

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

Nature of Visual Representation

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

Man Is Not An Island

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

Some Ponderable Questions

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

The Early Life of Jesus

INTRODUCTION:Yeshua bar Joseph or Yeshua ben Joseph has become known... Read More

Its Not Your Fault!

Saying goodbye is easy for the traveler. I am a... Read More

German Philosophers

German Culture: German PhilosophersGerman and German speaking philosophers have made... Read More

I Wouldnt Change A Thing

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

William Butler Yeats

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

Reducing Human Population Growth

Due to the indoctrination of World Religions and their control... Read More

Joseph Bonaparte and The New Jersey Devil

Joseph Bonaparte and The New Jersey Devil:"Commodore Stephen Decatur was... Read More

Humans Who Are Disrespected Seek Revenge

The easiest way to gain enemies is to disrespect people.... Read More

Einstein and Eirugena

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