The question of what is the difference between humanity and the animal world has bothered people almost ever since they realized themselves as a separate biological unit.
Despite the fact that in the system of natural classification man is a separate species of animal, it is obvious that in his development he has moved as far as possible from the standard path of existence of living organisms. Not only biologists, anthropologists and physicians deal with the issues of basic differences; these problems are also solved by sociologists, psychologists, philosophers and representatives of other sciences.
Social and moral-ethical aspects in human life are very important, but for skeptics they are not suitable as evidence of difference from the animal world. Therefore, first of all, we are interested in obvious and indisputable facts concerning the structure of organs and their systems of the human body, as well as physiological characteristics.
Chromosome set
Man is a product of evolution, whose closest relatives are the large primates pongidae and chilobatidae. Despite the fact that we are very similar to our relatives, there is one important detail that defines us as a separate species - our chromosome set.
The human genome is the same size as some primates, but the number of chromosomes in our cells is 46, arranged in pairs on two helical strands of DNA. There are 23 such pairs in total, and it is they who determine what our species looks like and according to what program each individual organism develops throughout its life. This individual program is inherent only to Homo sapiens and cannot be reproduced by any other animal.
During the formation of the species, one unique event occurred: people chose upright walking as a convenient method of movement. This had a huge impact on the further formation and development of humanity.
As a result of this method of movement, the spine and other parts of the skeleton have changed:
- The pelvis is located lower and becomes wider, as it bears a greater load compared to the pelvic spine of other animals. The bones of the human pelvis have changed their structure, becoming thicker and stronger.
- The anatomical structure of the feet, which are the main mechanism for walking, has changed. The number of bones and joints in this section is very large to provide a sufficient degree of freedom during the step.
- Due to upright walking, the length of the bones of the lower extremities has changed. They lengthened, which made it possible to walk faster by increasing the stride.
- The spinal column acquired new curves for the animal world (lordosis and kyphosis), which made it possible to correctly distribute the load along the spine.
For the possibility of walking upright, humanity pays with periodic pain in the back and lower back, which experience much greater pressure than the same parts of the spine in representatives of the animal world that use movement on four legs.
Fine motor skills
After people began to walk on two legs, the palm ceased to be a support when moving. The function of the hands has changed, which is reflected in its anatomy.
The structure of the human thumb is unique in the animal kingdom. No other representative of the animal kingdom can handle small objects as deftly as humans can.
Language
Living organisms of a higher order are characterized by the first signaling system, based on the transmission of reflexes. Humans have developed and successfully use a second signaling system—speech. Scientists admit that this method of communication is possible not only among us: the same dolphins can talk and even give their children names. But the special anatomical structure of the human larynx makes it possible to use a wide range of sounds.
Another feature is that any representatives of the animal world understand each other the same way, no matter what habitat they are from. And only humans have different languages that are not understandable to those who live in a different language environment. This phenomenon is unique and inherent only to humanity.
CNS
The human brain is not the largest, either in fact or proportionally. But anatomically it has a number of differences from animals. Thanks to the presence of large and developed frontal lobes, we are able to remember, plan, dream, notice what is common and highlight what is different. The limits of human thinking are pushed very far, which is due to the functional capabilities of his brain.
Environmental differences
In their way of life, distribution, methods of developing new spaces for living, people also have unique features that distinguish them from animals.
Distribution of the species
Many species of wildlife occupy all continents, which was preceded by a long chain of evolution, which was able to provide them with mechanisms for survival in these conditions. Man was able to settle in those territories that were not suitable for him to live in, since his existence in certain places was not limited by environmental conditions.
For the same purpose, humanity invented clothing - a unique phenomenon that is not observed in nature in any other species. Thanks to such high adaptability, people were able to live in places with cold climates that do not meet the requirements of human physiology. That is, the spread of people around the globe is not dictated by natural conditions.
Sharing resources
The lack of resources cannot prevent the spread of man, since we have learned to exchange food supplies, minerals and other material values necessary for life. This contributed to the further development of territories that could not be inhabited by other species of animals due to a lack of food supply.
Using tools
Some animals can use certain objects for their needs. An exceptional feature of humanity is that we have learned to create such devices ourselves, to invent, design and manufacture them, which has significantly expanded the list of possibilities.
Due to the fact that progress continues, people do not stop creating other devices, which often predetermine the further development of civilization.
Application of fire
Biologists, historians, anthropologists and other scientists unanimously believe that people made a huge leap in their development thanks to the use of fire. This ability influenced not only the possibility of relocation to cold regions, but also marked the beginning of the era of thermal processing of food. This innovation gradually changed the anatomy of the stomach and intestines and affected the dentition and jawbone. Therefore, human canines do not protrude beyond the line of other teeth, as happens in animals.
Impact on the planet
No species of living nature has such a huge impact on the Earth as humans. We are changing landscapes, waterways, changing the climate in certain areas and throughout the planet. In addition, human activities actively affect the species diversity of nature.
Social and spiritual differences
Most people believe that animals do not have souls, while humans do. But such a broad concept, which has been debated for many centuries, is difficult to comprehend.
There are several moral and social factors that sharply distinguish us from the animal world.
Thinking
The consciousness and thinking of people is different from our smaller brothers. In this direction, people were far ahead of them.
Our thinking consists of the following elements:
- collection of information;
- analysis;
- comparison;
- abstraction;
- generalization;
- specification.
Based on these mental operations, we can reason, judge something and draw our own conclusions. For animals such a high level of mental activity is unattainable.
Stages of life
Of course, in terms of life expectancy, an individual person cannot compete with many other animals. But the proportions of different periods in the biological development of people are unique. The animal’s body degrades very quickly after the completion of the sexual program, therefore, after the cessation of childbearing, animals do not live long.
A completely different picture is observed in people: the period of old age and decline in us differs from other representatives of living nature and is the longest.
Morals and ethics
The animal world exists according to laws dictated by natural selection. Man is increasingly moving away from this state of affairs, therefore, with the progress of thinking, a new set of rules or specific laws of life and the interaction of society has appeared - morality and ethics.
Creation
The need for creativity is a trait inherent only to humans. The need to change the space around us, to create, to embody our emotions in certain types of creativity has become familiar and even mandatory for us.
For those who do not succeed in creating creative projects, there is a need to consume this product in the form of music, films, paintings, literary works, etc. In the animal environment, this phenomenon is completely absent.
Duration of growing up
Childhood for each species lasts a certain amount of time. During this period, the animal manages to master all the knowledge and skills that it needs after starting an independent life separately from its parents.
In humans, this period is the longest, since the pace of its development and maturation is quite moderate, and sexual maturity occurs later than in other species. Due to the complex structure of the central nervous system, the time required for its full maturation and formation becomes longer than in animals.
Showing emotions
The external manifestation of joy, anger, pleasure, grief and other emotions in animals is not as developed as in humans. Smiling, laughing, blushing from embarrassment - all this is a specific ability of humanity. We are not always able to control such manifestations on our faces.
Scientists believe that this feature arose in people due to close social ties. Emotions have facilitated nonverbal communication since ancient times and have become entrenched over time.
Growing needs
Any species of our smaller brothers has a limit of comfort and good living conditions, which limits further progress. In this regard, humanity has taken a different path - along the path of continuous growth of needs. It is in human nature not to stop there, therefore new desires arise thanks to progress and inventions that humanity itself produces.
This feature has become the basis for the development of people and the reason that this process does not stop.
From all of the above, we can conclude: despite the fact that man is a part of nature, he has many unique, unique features that make it possible to distinguish him into a separate group, sharply different from others.
In relationships with nature, people and animals have significant differences. At first glance, they are quite simple and obvious. However, not every adult can name all the similarities and differences between humans and animals. What can we say about children and teenagers? Therefore, it is even more difficult to say how primitive people differed from ordinary animals.
In contact with
Appearance
Any child can say without hesitation that the main difference between a person and an animal is in appearance. However, in all mammals there are similar structural features, which speak of existing kinship. All organisms are composed of tissues and have similarities in skeletal structure and intrauterine development.
Humans are distinguished from animals by the ability to move vertically on two legs and the absence of fur.
Interesting! Despite the fact that compared to many mammals, humans appear naked, they have a huge number of hair follicles. They have the same amount of hair as primates, they are just thinner, shorter and lighter.
Man, unlike animals, has dexterity and a tenacious grip: he can connect his thumb with any other. This helps to skillfully hold tools and perform various physical work. Homo Sapiens are unique in that they wear clothes and can blush when feeling certain emotions.
A distinctive feature is also the difference in the movement of the jaws. It depends on the type of food the mammal eats. In herbivores the jaw moves horizontally, in carnivores it moves vertically, and Homo Sapiens has both of these abilities.
Human children are under parental care longer than the cubs of quadrupeds. It's all about the difference in the amount of time needed for learning, growth and development. Mammals of the animal kingdom reproduce throughout life and men and women continue to exist after reproduction ceases.
Features of thinking
The main differences between humans and animals are the ability to think and foresee. It is known that we do not have the largest brain size among mammals, but it provides extraordinary opportunities: to create, explore, learn, reason, etc.
It is human nature solve mental problems, such as:
- Systematization. In the process of this activity, objects are distributed into groups depending on their similarities and differences.
- Generalization. This operation unites objects and phenomena according to common characteristics.
- Specification. It represents the identification of individual characteristics of an object that are not related to those inherent in the general class of objects.
- Comparison. This operation establishes the similarities and differences between objects of knowledge.
- Abstraction. At the moment of this mental activity, one side of an object or phenomenon is highlighted, which does not exist separately.
- Analysis. It represents the division of the whole into parts, depending on the properties and characteristics.
- Classification. This is the result of the comparison.
A person acts based on these thinking operations and practices them every day at work, at home and on the street. Scientists have found that great apes have a predisposition to synthesis and analysis.
To the question: “How does a person differ from an animal?”, science and philosophy finds the answer in the ability to think and the desire to live among one’s own kind.
Indeed, an individual can adjust his behavior to certain conditions and play any social role. He is able to realize in advance the consequences of his actions and actions, and express a value-based attitude towards reality. Unlike animals, any person acts consciously.
Animals obey their instinct and do not separate themselves from their natural habitat. Their actions are programmed by nature itself. Animals adapt to the environment that determines their lifestyle. They cannot change their living conditions. This is a significant factor that distinguishes humans from objects of zoological study.
Articulate speech
The ability to speak articulately gives Homo Sapiens the ability to express reality through speech and transmit information through modern means of communication. Man, unlike monkeys, has a low-lying larynx, which allows him to speak.
The speech of animals consists of various sounds that are understandable only to their relatives. These signals do not carry information about periods of time or abstract concepts.
Property and cultural benefits
It is common for every person, unlike any animal, to engage in spiritual activity and work for the good. Modern people influence nature means of labor that they themselves made.
They cultivate artificial objects, thereby enhancing their physical capabilities. Moreover, tools of labor are created jointly with other individuals. The higher the level of development of communication in society, the higher the organization and level of development of the psyche of each individual.
Although highly developed monkeys are capable of using stones and sticks for certain purposes, not one of the species can independently make equipment or tools and begin to use them in practice. This man is different from animal.
People satisfy not only biological needs, but also needs for spiritual development. In our world there are such concepts as religion, art and philosophy.
Interesting! Representatives of the animal kingdom are able to satisfy only natural needs that are associated with their instincts.
Cave people
Now it remains to find out how primitive people differed from animals. Many caveman skills inherent in some species of wild nature. So, animals can use branches and stones to build a home. A bear, for example, bends and entangles the tops of trees to create a kind of hut. Mammals are distinguished according to the following principles:
- The main feature that distinguishes ancient man from animals is the use of fire. Animals do not like and are afraid of flames, but cavemen, on the contrary, idolized it, warmed themselves by the fire, and cooked food on it.
- Among the external differences is upright walking. Ancient people walked not on four, but on two legs.
- Our distant ancestors had thinking and over time learned to speak articulately, after their hyoid bone was formed.
- Animals cannot make mechanical tools, but the caveman was able to create various tools for work. He also possessed spiritual benefits and values.
- The creative consciousness of our ancestors is expressed in wall paintings of caves, crafts made of bone and wood. Animals are not prone to such displays of talent.
- Ancient people differed from animals in their attitude towards each other. They always buried the dead, practiced religious rites and had communication skills.
Unified State Examination in Social Studies. Lesson No. 2 “Differences between humans and animals”
Let's start with the concept of man. Man is a being consisting of two unities: biological and social. The biological principle gives life to a person and relates him to nature, and the social principle relates him to society and teaches him to speak, perform activities, and interact with other people.
An animal is a creature that lives on planet Earth and does not have the characteristics of a human being.
The distinguishing features of humans from animals include:
1) Highly developed brain and thinking. Man has the most developed brain of all creatures living on planet Earth. The human brain is capable of creating new things and learning new things, perceiving various information, analyzing and making appropriate conclusions. Despite the fact that the human brain is the most highly developed, it is not the largest in volume. There are animals in the world's oceans whose brains are superior to those of humans.
2) Articulate speech. Speech is a set of sounds that a person converts into words and thereby exchanges information with others like him. Speech can be oral and written. We hear spoken language, but we see written language on paper or a TV screen or monitor. Each people (ethnic group) has its own language. However, there is also a universal language that can be used to communicate in many countries of the world - this is English.
3) Purposeful creative activity. Of all living creatures on Earth, only man is capable of creating, i.e. create something new that has never existed before. Human activity always presupposes the presence of a goal (the desired result of one’s activity), and the behavior of an animal is subject to the instincts that it acquired from birth.
4) Imaginary needs. A person has both genuine and imaginary needs. Genuine needs are needs that are for the benefit of a person, and imaginary needs are for the detriment of a person. Imaginary needs include bad human habits (smoking, alcoholism, gambling addiction, etc.).
5) Upright walking. Only a person walks upright on two limbs while having four.
6) Making tools. A person makes ore tools (for example, a hammer). Animals use natural tools.
In addition to their distinctive features, humans and animals are similar in many ways. This applies to biological needs, such as the need for food, drink, water, reproduction, etc.
NATURAL AND SOCIAL IN MAN. MAN AS A RESULT OF BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-CULTURAL EVOLUTION.
Plan.
- Differences between humans and animals.
- Tasks.
Theories of human origin.
Man is
A unique being (open to the world, inimitable, spiritually incomplete);
A universal creature (capable of any type of activity);
A holistic being (integrates physical, mental and spiritual principles)
The problem of man is one of the main ones in philosophy. Of great importance for understanding the essence of man and the paths of his development is clarification of the question of his origin.
The theory of human origin, the essence of which is to study the process of its emergence and development, is called anthropogenesis (from the gr. anthropos - man and genesis - origin).
There are several approaches to solving the question of human origins.
Thus, only assumptions can be made about the reasons that determined the formation of man himself.
The influence of cosmic energy, electromagnetic waves, radiation and other influences on his psychophysical state is enormous.
Man is the highest stage of development of living organisms on Earth. Biologically, humans belong to mammal-eating hominids, human-like creatures that appeared about 550 thousand years ago.
The influence of nature and society on human development.
Man is essentially a biosocial being. It is part of nature and at the same time inextricably linked with society. The biological and social in man are fused together, and only in such unity does he exist.
The biological nature of a person is his natural prerequisite, a condition of existence, and sociality is the essence of a person.
Man as a biological being belongs to the higher mammals, forming a special species, Homo sapiens. The biological nature of a person is manifested in his anatomy and physiology: he has circulatory, muscular, nervous and other systems. Its biological properties are not strictly programmed, which makes it possible to adapt to various living conditions. Man as a social being is inextricably linked with society. A person becomes a person only by entering into social relations, into communication with others. The social essence of a person is manifested through such properties as the ability and readiness for socially useful work, consciousness and reason, freedom and responsibility, etc.
Absolutization of one of the aspects of human essence leads to biologization or sociologization.
1. Biologization approach. Emphasizes only the evolutionary-biological preconditions of human nature
2. Sociologizing approach. Explains human nature based on socially significant factors. Man is a “blank slate” on which society writes the necessary words
The main differences between humans and animals
1. A person has thinking and articulate speech. Only a person can reflect on his past, actually evaluating it, and think about the future, dreaming and making plans.
Some species of monkeys also have communicative capabilities, but only humans can convey objective information about the world around them to other people. People have the ability to highlight the main thing in their speech. In addition, a person knows how to reflect reality not only with the help of speech, but also with the help of music, painting and other figurative forms.
2. A person is capable of conscious, purposeful creative activity:
Models his behavior and can choose various social roles;
Has the ability to foresee the long-term consequences of his actions, the nature and direction of the development of natural processes;
Expresses a value-based attitude to reality. The animal in its behavior is subordinate to instinct, its
actions are initially programmed. It does not separate itself from nature.
3. A person, in the process of his activity, transforms the surrounding reality, creates the material and spiritual benefits and values he needs. Carrying out practically transformative activities, a person creates a “second nature” - culture.
Animals adapt to their environment, which determines their lifestyle. They cannot make fundamental changes in the conditions of their existence.
4. Man is capable of making tools and use them as a means of producing material goods.
Highly organized animals can use natural tools (sticks, stones) for certain purposes. But not a single species of animal is capable of making tools using previously made means of labor.
5. Man reproduces not only his biological, but also his social essence and therefore must satisfy not only his material, but also his spiritual needs. Satisfaction of spiritual needs is associated with the formation of a person’s spiritual (inner) world.
1. A person has thinking and articulate speech. Only a person can reflect on his past, critically assessing it, and think about the future, dreaming and making plans.
Some species of monkeys also have communicative capabilities, but only humans can convey objective information about the world around them to other people. People have the ability to highlight the main thing in their speech. In addition, a person knows how to reflect reality not only with the help of speech, but also with the help of music, painting and other figurative forms.
2. A person is capable of conscious, purposeful creative activity:
– models yours behavior and can choose various social roles;
– has ability to foresee long-term consequences of one’s actions, the nature and direction of development of natural processes;
– expresses value attitude to reality.
An animal's behavior is subordinate to instinct; its actions are initially programmed. It does not separate itself from nature.
3. Man, in the process of his activity, transforms surrounding reality, creates the necessary material and spiritual benefits and values. Carrying out practically transformative activities, a person creates a “second nature” - culture.
Animals adapt to their environment, which determines their lifestyle. They cannot make fundamental changes in the conditions of their existence.
4. Man is capable of making tools and using them as a means of producing material goods.
Highly organized animals can use natural tools (sticks, stones) for certain purposes. But not a single species of animal is capable of making tools using previously made means of labor.
5. Man reproduces not only his biological, but also his social essence and therefore must satisfy not only your material, but also your spiritual needs. Satisfaction of spiritual needs is associated with the formation of a person’s spiritual (inner) world.
Human - unique creature(open to the world, unique, spiritually incomplete); universal being(capable of any type of activity); whole being(integrates physical, mental and spiritual principles).
Topic 2. Human existence
Being – philosophical category denoting existence, reality. Accordingly, not only natural phenomena have existence, but also man and the spheres of his activity. The world of thinking beings and everything created by them enters the sphere of existence.
The primary prerequisite for human existence is the life of his body. In the natural world, man, existing as a body, is dependent on the laws of development and death of organisms, the cycles of nature. To give life to the spirit, it is necessary to provide life to the body. Therefore, in all civilized countries, the fundamental human rights to satisfy his primary needs, the rights associated with the preservation of life, are legally enshrined.
An individual becomes a personality by mastering the achievements of human culture (the personal aspect of human existence). Therefore, a person does not blindly obey the requirements of bodily laws, but is able to control and regulate his needs, satisfying them not just in accordance with nature, but guided by historically emerged norms and ideals. Nevertheless, it is believed that individual existence is the basis for the existence of a person.
Social being can be expressed in a broader sense as social being. Social existence (the relationship of people to nature and each other) arises along with the formation of human society and is primary in relation to the consciousness of the individual and generation.
Topic 3. Human needs and interests
In order to develop, a person is forced to satisfy various needs, which are called requirements.
Need – this is a person’s need for what constitutes a necessary condition for his existence. The motives (from the Latin move - to set in motion, to push) of activity reveal human needs.
Types of human needs
– Biological (organic, material)– needs for food, clothing, housing, etc.
– Social– needs for communication with other people, in social activities, in public recognition, etc.
– Spiritual (ideal, cognitive)– needs for knowledge, creative activity, creation of beauty, etc.
Biological, social and spiritual needs are interconnected. In humans, biological needs in their essence, unlike animals, become social. For most people, social needs dominate over ideal ones: the need for knowledge often acts as a means of acquiring a profession and taking a worthy position in society.
There are other classifications of needs, for example the following.
The needs of each next level become urgent when the previous ones are satisfied.
One should remember about reasonable limitation of needs, since, firstly, not all human needs can be fully satisfied, and secondly, needs should not contradict the moral norms of society.
Reasonable needs –These are needs that help the development of truly human qualities in a person: the desire for truth, beauty, knowledge, the desire to bring good to people, etc.
Needs underlie the emergence of interests and inclinations.
Interest(Latin interest – to have meaning) – a person’s purposeful attitude towards any object of his need.
People's interests are directed not so much at the objects of need, but at those social conditions that make these objects more or less accessible, first of all, material and spiritual goods that ensure the satisfaction of needs.
Interests are determined by the position of various social groups and individuals in society. They are more or less recognized by people and are the most important incentives for various types of activities.
There are several classifications of interests:
- according to their carrier: individual; group; the whole society.
– by direction: economic; social; political; spiritual.
Interest must be distinguished from inclination . The concept of “interest” expresses a focus on a certain item. The concept of “inclination” expresses the focus on a certain activity.
Interest is not always combined with inclination (much depends on the degree of accessibility of a particular activity).
A person’s interests express the direction of his personality, which largely determines his life path, the nature of his activities, etc.