What is a human being? Ellen Dissanayake, in her book Homo Aestheticus, posits we are human because we make art--or the two are inseparable. What about Koko and Michael? (https://www.koko.org/gorilla-art-0) These two great apes have been making art for years. They are also aware of story as art. Are they then Human? In a comment on this site I mentioned developing genetically modified humans to live on Mars. Would they be human? Does the concept of humanity transcend our species?
We're human because we are not any other animal, and human is the animal we are. Any other reasoning is poetic.
Elephants have also painted before. We like to think we're so special. We have some special things about us, but so do most animals and/or insects. We're just animals.
Maybe people think we have the lone ability to think abstractly and/or ponder philosophical issues, but we can't know that for sure. Does an ant think about their lot in life or what comes after death? We don't know.
We are not special. Not even on "our own" planet. Being the dominant species doesn't make us "special" either.
I love this elephant video! Thanks for sharing it. I knew about it but didn't try to find it for my post.I agree many other species are probably capable of abstract thought. Some day we may be able to have philosophical discussions with an ape or an elephant. I wonder if Koko believes in God?
Richard Dawkins has seen this first hand and has commented that the mahout is actually manipulating the elephants ear to paint lines. He says it is not the elephant thinking the painting rather just training from the mahout and goes on to say the elephants keep repeating the same picture every time. I wish it weren't so but I abide by Dawkins findings.
@buzz13 I see. Chimps have been know to change designs and patterns though. It still doesn't give us any information on if animals can think philosophically though.
I echo @Sticks48’s scepticism (disdain for the idea?!) that being human is intrinsically a good thing. I also agree with @AstralSmoke that matter organizes itself in patterns. I see no reason why “humans” are the only beings who can create or appreciate art.
A related question is what we, humans, the big powerful apes that run this joint, should endeavor to protect form ourselves. My answer is that everything should be protected and preserved, human or not, in harmony with our needs. Implicitly, our needs should be defined narrowly to avoid emptying this limiting principle of all meaning. In other words, not being “human” should not be cause to be stripped of all protection. The metaphorical devil, I acknowledge, is in the details.
I agree we should protect all from our predations. It has not always been so. We dominate this place. Lately we are easily capable of immense destruction. Mostly, I think we must protect ourselves from ourselves.
We elected a great ape to the Presidency, which has made me rethink this subject.
The concept of humanity can transcend our species. Actual humanity cannot.