Are humans superior to animals?

1. 71

   Jennifer Madisonposted 12 years ago

   Are humans superior to animals?

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2. 60

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   Humans are animals.

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3. 79

   Sage in a Cageposted 12 years ago

   Well technically humans are animals but...
   
   It depends on your definition of 'superior'. We have highly evolved civilisations and the most advanced form of self-awareness in the animal kingdom. On the other hand, despite our apparent superiority, we conduct wars against our own kind and destroy our own environment for future generations.

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   1. 71

      Jennifer Madisonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree with you. And like you said, we should use our intelligence and self-awareness more wisely.

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   2. 83

      Melissa A Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I disagree that intelligence is synonymous with being peaceful and conflict-less.

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   3. 79

      Sage in a Cageposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Melissa, I never mentioned intelligence, a psychological concept, in my answer. I was merely pointing out that the term 'superior' means different things to different people so it's a difficult question to answer.

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   4. 83

      Melissa A Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agreed with the first part of your answer, but when you said "despite our apparent superiority, we conduct wars against our own kind", that was what I disagreed with. But too bad people can't take alternate opinions and voted your answer down.

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   5. 79

      Sage in a Cageposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I thrive on debate. I just didn't understand what you were referring to. As for the down voting, fire ahead. I won't down vote you as I respect your opinion.

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4. 84

   Lucky Catsposted 12 years ago

   The question is far too simplistic.  There are many ways in which we, humans, are perhaps, more developed intellectually while, instinctually; animals have it all over the human species.  There are so many categories in which such a comparison might be able to be made however, we must be weary of projecting our own "idea" of what "superiority" is and how it is defined and applied.  Strength?  Refined; heightened "senses," agility, ability to survive in nature, or city, or any type of environment...all hold unique and distinct characteristics thus contributing to the idea of how a species survives; exists and how this might be perceived as "superior" or "inferior."  Ability to communicate?  Again, subjective.  the question must be refined however, in doing so, it is impossible to be completely unbiased and clinical; emperical as , in all things studied, we cannot help but interject our own definitions, descriptions and interpretations of behaviors of our and other species.  There are thousands of types of animals; in as many environments as there are many races, and locals of humans on this planet.....So I cannot conclude, with any amount of certainty; that there is an absolute superior or inferior species as compared one to the other.

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5. 57

   tiagozposted 12 years ago

   Not in every way but in many ways, yes we are superior.

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      Jennifer Madisonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      In which way do you think the human race is superior?

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      tiagozposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Regarding the ability to gain knowledge, we are superior. But for instance elephants are superior to us with regards to memory: they remember things for much longer than humans. Giraffes only sleep for 5 minutes a day. In that sense they are superior

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      Ivana Mladenovaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      For how long elephants can remember? For life? They don't live longer than 70 years..my grandmother is 75 years old and she remembers clearly her childhood

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6. 78

   Seeker7posted 12 years ago

   In theory we are suppose to be more intelligent - in reality, there are thousands of examples that show animals are more intelligent than some folks! But I do agree with Kathy (Lucky Cats), that the answer is more complex. Animals on a physical and sensory level are frequently more superior to us, but our intelligence and adaptability gives us superiority in different, but crucial ways.
   
   My own feelings overall though, is that although we are suppose to be 'superior', that does not and should not mean that we can treat animals anyway we like. Higher intelligence does not give us a 'superior' right to abuse animals or anything else in nature.

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7. 61

   We Save Catsposted 12 years ago

   there are many good answers here, I agree with LC who has presented a very lucid and intelligent consideration of it.  it is very interesting that there are down votes on LC's comment as well as S in a C.  quite thought provoking, emphasis on provoking.

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8. 68

   yoginijoyposted 12 years ago

   Definitely not, all sentient beings are on the same quest: to realize our potential.

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9. 78

   glorgeousmomposted 12 years ago

   As a Christian, i will base my answer according to the foundation of my faith - the Word of God which is the Scriptures/Holy Bible. Yes, humans are superior to animals for God willed it and made it so in the beginning, as what is written in the book of Genesis,Chapter 1, verse 26.
   (Genesis 1:26 - Good News Bible): 'Then God said, "And now let us make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small."
   To say that animals are superior to humans is an insult to our Creator, who created us according to his image and likeness (Genesis 1:27).

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10. 60

    JamesGrantSmithposted 11 years ago

    Well we share allot of similar character traits, but i would say we probably are, on the basis we own them, they don't own us, at least in this universe.

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11. 69

    Emanate Presenceposted 11 years ago

    The diversity of perspectives presented makes interesting reading. Rather than add to the same, and since there is no definitive answer, I ask in response, what would be the most useful way of looking at this question, for the future of humanity and the earth?
    
    A worldview of Man's superiority in general has had devastating consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. Domination of one race over another, one species over another, does this feel advanced or whole?
    
    When looked at another way, that we are all made of the same matter, and are inter-connected with each other -- woven together in the fabric of our essence, none is superior to another.
    
    In strength, speed, size, etc. yes of course there are species which are superior. Those may be fun facts, but to me they are superficial for measuring superiority.
    
    What matters is how we look at ourselves and our relation to each other, to the earth and all living beings. What perspective would bring out the qualities we choose?

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12. 74

    Levertis Steeleposted 11 years ago

    Overall, human beings are superior to animals, but the growing weaknesses of humans beings are enough to make us wonder.
    
    Animals are cleaner. They do not litter the land or pollute the water and air.
    Animals do not do drugs.
    Animals are not alcoholics.
    Animals do not use tobacco.
    Animals eat what they were designed to eat.
    Animals do not destroy the rain forests.
    Animals do not usually wage unnecessary wars or cage human beings.
    
    Animals are superior to human beings in some ways, but they do not brush their teeth! They do not use deodorant! Many of them have multiple sex partners and probably do not know the fathers of their "children." They do not like condoms. These faults would land them on Jerry Springer and Steve Wilkos--I'm not sure of Steve's last name.
    
    Now, that I think about it more, maybe animals and human beings are equal.

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    1. 55

       Ivana Mladenovaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I brush my dogs teeth and she seems to like it

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