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

---

William Butler Yeats

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

Stranded Notions: Time And Philosophy Of The Individual

As I look back now, a long time seems to... Read More

Socrates Warned Us But We Killed Him

The ability to do something that requires generations to develop... Read More

Angel Inspired E-mails

This morning, I awoke somewhat down. As little seems to... Read More

The Early Life of Jesus

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

The Earth Energy Grid

EARTH ENERGY GRID: - Sedona, Arizona is not only my... Read More

An Amazing, Hazy Look Into The Future

Sometimes we all sit and think. Sometimes we doodle with... Read More

Simple Words

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

Choice and Social Acceptance in Human Organizations

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

Conspiracy Theorist

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

Evolution and Exorcisms

EVOLUTION: More surprising to me as I consider where my... Read More

All That We Are... Are Labels

Within the confines of the known universe, a madness is... Read More

Common Psi-sense

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

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

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

Culture and Knowledge

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

My Insight into Numerology

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

Extra Terrestrial Genetic Defect Myth

There is a large contingency of people who believe in... Read More

Youre Wrong

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

Life in the Universe; Part 1

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

The Pertinence of Nudity

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

The Keltoi

The CIA's motto is "You shall know the truth and... Read More

Archetypes

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

Teilhard de Chardin

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

DNA, Fiction and Society; How it Affects Thought

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

Its Not Your Fault!

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

Belief is Closure

The CON in CONstructs:There are many esoteric wisdom schools and... Read More

Phony-Baloney Detection Lesson #2

Appeals to AuthorityListen to this quote by a guy I... Read More

Tempus Fugit and the Dollar Doesnt

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

Emerson and Plato

You might be surprised by the breadth and reach of... Read More

The Esoteric Mandate (Rothschilds too)

The monopoly called usury given to a specific group of... Read More

Some Ponderable Questions

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

Star-Fire Ceremony

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