What Makes Us Different From Other Animals Philosophy Essay

What Makes Us Different From Other Animals Philosophy Essay In a world that has come so far ahead in evolutionary terms, what is it that makes us, human kind, so different from other animals. It has been said that chimps are our nearest evolutionary cousins, roughly 98 to 99 identical to humans at the genetic level. Any differences are said to come from the transmission of culture and our ability to build societies. Godelier stated that human beings, in contrast to other social animals, do not just live in society; they produce society in order to live. In this essay I will be looking to explore cultural and linguistic aspects which seek to differentiate us between other animals. Humans seem to encompass a culture which is not seen in any other animal. In Lewiss lecture (15.10.12), culture was referred to as seas of history which bind humans together. In DAndrades article of culture and language, he refers to culture as being a social heritage of learning which includes a number of things such as beliefs and techniques which are independent of biological processes. For him, there are two sides to culture, one being a physical manifestation and the other side, a mental manifestation. Both sides need to be present in order for culture to be passed on from generation to generation. For this to happen, culture needs to comprise of meaning and be symbolic, culture must be also external in the form of actions and signs (1995:223). Boesch and Tomasello (1998:602) note that human cultural traditions have had modifications over generations also known as the ratchet effect. The ratchet effect requires that humans imitate from one another. This is what sets us apart from other animals and is so unique to us. Humans have cumulative cultural evolution, the ability to accumulate over time results in complex tools and languages in modern time (Tomasello et al. 2003:121). The use of tools as technical intelligence is an evolutionary advantage which humans have. Washburn (1959) argued that selective pressure resulted in physical changes in the hand. Over generations, the uses of tools became part of our culture, as humans were required to use precision grip, the consequence of which changed the human hand. However, it cannot be said that the modifications of the human cultural artefact, such as tools, are the creation of one individual human brain. Modifications over generations were made to aid change and therefore inv entions are transmissions of accumulative knowledge, which is a characteristic of all human cultures. (Lewis 2012) In comparison, animals such as chimpanzees experience slippage, whereby chimpanzee traditions are often lost as a consequence of drift, inventing constantly and branching. (Lewis 2012). Tomasello et al. have hypothesized that chimpanzee cultural traditions and artefacts do not show the ratchet effect. This is because the ratchet effect depends of innovations and imitative learning (1993: 603). Even though chimpanzees are innovators they lack uniformity and the active teaching of such cultures, so culture is lost. Lewis states that the ratchet effect is ruined through emulative learning (2012). Therefore the transmission of chimpanzee culture can be seen to be as ineffective. However, it could be deemed that any assumptions made about chimpanzees and their lack of cumulative cultural evolution is problematic. Boesch and Tomasello argue that 30 years is not long enough to make the judgement that chimpanzee practices do not show the ratchet effect. And even if evidence suggests that chimpanzees do show this cumulative cultural evolution, it may be restricted to a small population or to certain cultural traditions (1998:602). In Tomasello and Rakoczys study into human cognition, they explain that the most fundamental cognitive skill, are those that involved the understanding of persons, also known as the theory of mind (2003:122). According to the American Psychological Association  (APA) theory of mind is the ability to imagine or make deductions about the mental states of other individuals. Humans have an innate capacity to mind-read, the capability to understand one another is necessary in order for language to progress, complex co-operation in situations such as at school or work requires this ability to mind read, which makes culture possible (Lewis 2012). If humans did not have theory of mind, it would be impossible for society to exist as it does presently, humans heavily rely on this ability everyday unknowingly. However although this mind-reading attribute is a fundamental skill in humans, Call and Tomasello in answer to Premack and Woodruff, have found that chimpanzees do in fact encompass what is known to man as theory of mind (2008:190). They argue that studies of chimpanzees showed that they were able to not only understand human goals (which was the original aim of Premack and Woodruffs study), but were able to understand human intentions. However it cannot be said that chimpanzee understanding can be compared to that of a fully fledged human. In my opinion, animals such as chimpanzees must acquire the minimum amount of theory of mind for evolutionary reasons within their own animal kingdom. Animals, on a smaller scale, most likely understand thoughts and emotions of others within their species, otherwise relationships between animals would be unheard of. Vilensky et al. (1982) state that, the human brain differs from those of other animals. This is due to humans having a greater capacity for complex language and an innate interest in speaking language. According to Nowak, in his study into the biology of language, Language is the most important evolutionary invention of the last few million years. Language allows humans to express their ideas and for the exchange of information. The evolution from animal communication to human language is an adaptation that has been necessary in order for our species to pass on culture and efficiently aids survival (2000:1615). According to Miller (1981), the ability to speak is the most complex mechanical motion the human body can perform. Speaking requires the synchronisation of various parts of the vocal chord within a few hundredths of a second. Nowak suggests that the reason that primates, our closes living relatives, do not have complex language is due to our ancestral lines. As a consequence of evolution, generations were able to build our language instinct from material that was already present in our ancestor species at that time (2000:1616). Therefore, the ability to form language has been firmly set in our genome and is part of our biology. Many anthropologists argue that language ability is selected because language increases the potential for cooperation, manipulating other creatures, or dealing with large groups. However, it could be argued that if language was selected based on these reasons, then why dont other animals have the ability to speak. Therefore it must be that the reasons for humans having the ability to speak are unexplainable (Nowak 2002). Language is therefore unique to humans and therefore distinguishes them from other animals. In conclusion, it has been shown that culture and language is what seems to differentiate humans from other animals. Although animals seem to show evidence of having theory of mind, they cannot express this understanding the way humans can. So it can also be said that humans uniquely acquire theory of mind. However, in many areas it is not possible to see any clear cut answers due to lack of information. The fact that we have not studied chimpanzees or any other animals in their natural environment for long enough, means that it is likely that any comparisons made will be lacking in validity. Looking at humans and other animals comparatively, it seems that it is difficult to clearly differentiate humans from other animals. The overlapping features that we come across shows that although humans may have evolved there are aspects of man that will link them to other animals.

Identify a personal hero and articulate the influence this person has h

Identify a personal hero and articulate the influence this person has had on you I learn Spanish literature from a petite, sophisticated woman who has yet to appear in anything less that pearls, a well-cut suit and carefully scraped-back hair. Nevertheless, not one class has gone by without her eventually sitting cross-legged on her desk, eyes intent behind wire-rimmed glasses, hair slipping from her ponytail as if in agreement with her insistence that Spanish is exciting and all-encompassing, that Spanish literature is life reflected. At first, I thought she was a lunatic, ranting about "El simulo," "las metaforas," and "el tema." I spent the first week getting accustomed to her quick Iberian way of speaking, catching every other verb or noun, frantically trying to piece together what exactly she wanted from me. Each time she would veer her gaze in my direction, I would bend my head down to my note pad, furiously scribbling down some non-important point in the hopes that she wouldn't call on me....

MCHC Paper

Perhaps what he as most well known for is the fact that he performed many late-term abortions on these women. Late term abortions are heavily criticized and debated throughout the world today and thus, he received much scrutiny, eventually paving the road for his future (Masters, 2013). Late term abortions are those that take place late into the term of the woman's pregnancy and can be done as late as 35 weeks into a pregnancy. The process for these types of abortions is very graphic: a lethal dose of Dioxin, a heart medicine, is injected into the heart of the baby in the amniotic fluid through the woman's abdomen.This causes the baby to have a earth attack and die. Labor is then induced and the woman gives birth too non-living child (Operation Rescue, 2013). Connell was performing what many people refer to as partial birth abortions. This is when the baby is born and then essentially killed. This raised a lot of issues, most notably whether he was performing abortions of committing murder. Most people believed that this type of abortion was occurring well past the, â€Å"gray area,† of whether the fetus is a living being or not.There were also some issues on whether the clinic that he was running was legitimate. These started to take shape when an untrained and unlicensed clinic worker gave Ackermann Monger, a woman who came into Counsel's clinic in 2009, an overdose of painkillers, which caused Monger to die (Who is Connell? , 2014). Abortion and the notions of Pro-Choice and Pro-Life are very' important topics in the world today, both politically and religiously, thus Connell and his actions were highly criticized which in turn led to his rise in fame.Connell has had many prior complaints starting in 1 989 and the FBI eventually brought his actions to light after a raid of his clinic in 2010. The raid was performed to investigate suspected illegal drug use at Counsel's Lenin, which was called Women's Medical Society. When the clinic was raided, they a lso discovered unsanitary conditions throughout the facility, use of untrained staff, and use of powerful drugs without proper medical supervision and control (Williams, 2013).Connell was arrested in January Of 2011 and he was charged seven counts Of first degree murder, which was reduced to four at trial, one count of third degree murder, for the death of Monger, infanticide, which was dismissed at trial, five counts of abusing a corpse, also dismissed at trial, multiple counts of conspiracy, criminal solicitation and violation of state law that forbids abortions after the 24th week of a pregnancy (Sullivan, 2013).Connell also received some non-murder charges ranging from 24 counts of violating Pennsylvania Abortion Act by performing illegal third-trimester abortions, 227 counts of violating a twenty-four hour waiting period requirement and failing to counsel patients (Sullivan, 2013). Connell violated many moral and ethical principles during his time as a doctor. First and foremos t is personality. Connell had no remorse for human life and did not treat it as sacred or special when he murdered children post birth. Next is demonology and beneficence.Connell failed to do what was best for his patients because if he would have done so he would have not only counseled the mothers, but would have never hurt those babies. Connell was also in violation of non-malfeasance because failed in his mission to do no harm to his patients. While he may not have harmed most of the mothers, the babies that these women were having were certainly harmed. He failed to realize the teleology Of the acts that he Was performing and did not realize the ultimate consequences of his actions. Perhaps his biggest ethical violation was the lack of respect that he showed towards all of is patients.Connell performed these medical acts in unsanitary conditions and enlisted the help of unqualified people. His biggest lack of respect was that of human life. He allowed those mothers to give birt h to their babies and then he proceeded to kill them by snipping their spinal cord through the neck. My opinion on abortion is simple. I do not support it and I am one hundred percent pro life. This may be because both of my parents share the same views as I do and I come from a traditionally republican family, but it is my belief that human life is sacred and is a special gift from God.Thus, it is to be treated as such and an abortion is a violation of that belief. In my opinion, human life begins at the moment of conception so an abortion is a clear ending of that life. Another factor in my opinion of abortion could also branch from my Catholic background, I have gone to catholic schools since preschool and continue my catholic enrichment here at Gowned Mercy and it is also the catholic position on abortion to be pro life. In my opinion, what Connell did was horrible and a clear violation of human rights. He is right where he belongs, which is in prison serving a life sentence. No t even begin to think of a reason that he may have for doing what he did. His actions were morally and ethically wrong and luckily he is now paying the price for them. Connell is essentially a murderer and violated state abortion laws countless times in his medical career. In no way, shape, or form is what he did correct, he lost sight Of the importance of life a performed unforgivable actions. Whether it was out of greed, or whether he thought what he was doing was right, Connell deserves the punishment that has been given to him. Works Cited Masters, Teresa (March 19, 2013).

Victims Of Violence A Third Of Women - 1602 Words

Victims of violence: A third of women continue to face physical or sexual violence. Many women are not given the equal rights they deserve and this violates the human rights of women across the world (World Health Organization, 2016) CEDAW: In the year 1979, countries around the world signed CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) (United Nations, 2009). Education: to this day, young girls still do not have access to basic education. Nearly of girls of 100 million children, are currently not attending school (UNICEF, 2015). In 2013, legislation was passed that prevented domestic violence against women in 76 countries that previously had no laws against it (Liz Ford, 2014). Child Marriage: It†¦show more content†¦Women are typically viewed as being â€Å"less† than men, so they do not have the same equal rights. Over the last 20 years, women in both the developed world and the developing world, have gained more access to family planning. Efforts to decrease the number of maternal and child deaths have been reduced dramatically (United Nations, 2009). 1.Women’s work is undervalued: Women typically make less money than men for doing the same job. One reason for this is because men’s competence is usually viewed as being more valuable compared to women’s, even if they women may be doing better (European Commission, 2016). 2. Traditions, stereotypes discrimination: To this day, the reason why the issue regarding the gender pay gap still exists is because employers typically presume that men are better at certain jobs or process certain skills which makes them more superior to women (European Commission,2016). Political Women in the political atmosphere, or positions of power, are more likely to overturn the issues that surround the gender pay gap such as gender discrimination in the workplace, undervalued women’s work etc. Without women, the barriers that prevent equality would take longer to remove. Economic Profitability to economy : Without the full contribution in the labour