Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Human / Nonhuman Animals
The physical differences between humans and animals are readily apparent. From the way we walk to how we talk, our physical attributes clearly set us apart. But humans and animals also have a lot in common. We just have different ways of doing similar things and when simplified our goals are fairly similar as well. Animals must provide for themselves and their families by finding things like food and shelter. As humans, our basic goals are much like those of animals just in a different environment and we act on those goals differently as well. But, I think it's the ability of humans to do things like reason with one another and negotiate problems that really distinguish us from animals who often resort to violence as a way to settle disputes. Our ability to communicate different emotions and information is what truly sets us apart from nonhuman animals.
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It is a difficult task to try and determine what distinguishes human animals and non-human animals. To distinguish human animals from non-human animals based upon appearance is not possible. No two human animals are exactly the same, therefore everyone and everything is different in appearance. To distinguish human animals from non human animals based up language is also not possible. Just because non-human animals do not talk or communicate in human animal language does not mean that they do not have their own language in which they are able to communicate. There are human animals who cannot talk, who cannot speak in the same language as other human animals. Does this classify them as a non-human animal? Human animals are also not the only ones who are capable of communicating different emotions. For example, a human infant has not yet developed human language, yet they can communicate when something is wrong through body language and sounds. This is the same as non-human animals, they may not be able to verbally communicate, but they can certainly use body language to communicate what they are thinking and feeling (42). The above differences between human and non-human animals is assuming that all human animals are classified under moral agents, a term described by Tom Regan. Regan also describes another term, moral patients, which are “human infants, young children, and the mentally deranged or enfeebled of all ages” (19). Regan says, “moral patients lack the prerequisites that would enable them to control their own behavior in ways that would make them morally accountable for what they do” (19). One of the major ideas to understand is that not all human animals can be classified as moral agents, one must also recognize and under stand that some human animals are classifiable as moral patients. The above descriptions of the differences between human animals and non-human animals are therefore questionable.
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