- The 5 main characteristics that distinguish the human being
- 1- He speaks
- 2- Social relations
- 3- The bipedal structure or morphology
- 4- Longevity
- 5- The reasoning
- References
The main characteristics that differentiate humans from other species are speech, social relationships, bipedal structure, longevity and reason.
The human being underwent numerous transformations during the evolutionary process developed since Prehistory. Some affected their appearance and morphology, and others affected their ability to interrelate and form advanced societies.
Evolution made the human being the most developed animal species
This gave humans preferential access to the natural resources necessary for life, and meant their control over the rest of the species.
The 5 main characteristics that distinguish the human being
1- He speaks
No other species has a structured language with which to communicate. There are debates between different currents, since some consider that languages are but a part of language, which also includes communication between animals.
It is true that other species have primary communication structures (barking, bleating, certain movements, etc.), but only humans have been able to develop more than 600 languages.
Languages are structured communication systems that are in permanent evolution and that have been implemented in a certain territory.
The human ability to learn new languages stands out on the animal's inability to imitate and understand forms of communication typical of other species.
2- Social relations
Sociology defines social relations as the set of regulated interactions that occur between two or more individuals.
Coexistence and interpersonal relationships make up the heart of a constituted society, which develops rules for its proper functioning.
On the contrary, the relationships between animal species are given by force: the strongest prevails. This type of relationship also occurs between members of the same species, even in those that resemble man, such as hominids.
The physically weak are subdued by the strongest, while human norms dictate that the weakest (sick and elderly) must be cared for and protected by the strongest.
3- The bipedal structure or morphology
This is a structural feature. The evolution of the species resulted in the human being the only biped.
The human being has two legs on which to support himself and with which to walk, and two hands with which he carries out various activities.
No other animal has two lower extremities and two upper extremities so differentiated.
4- Longevity
Although it depends on various factors, in general it can be said that the life expectancy of human beings is one of the longest, in comparison with other species.
In Western countries it is around 80 years old. Only some species, such as the elephant, the whale or the eagle, live as long or longer than man.
In addition, human childhood is one of the longest. Not even in the longest-lived species this occurs, since maturity and independence occur much earlier.
5- The reasoning
Reasoning, which science associates with intelligence, is another defining characteristic of the human being.
The main difference with respect to other species is that reasoning and thought structures are much more developed in humans.
Although some animals are capable of making plans and assimilating or learning certain things, they always act on instinct and not as a result of a logical reasoning of the causes, consequences, advantages and disadvantages of the scenarios.
References
- Introduction to Human Evolution on Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History at humanorigins.si.edu
- What makes us human ?, by Institute of Creation Research at icr.org
- What distinguishes humans from other animals ?, from Live Science at icr.org
- "The Human Animal: Personal Identity without Psychology." Eric T. Olson. (1997). (Oxford University Press).
- The traits that make human beings unique, from BBC Future on bbc.com