Introduction
Human beings are complex and unpredictable creatures with dual nature. They combine a biological essence, which is the result of evolution, and social identity, the development of society. However, it is significant to state that humans are composed of the same proteins and nucleic acids as animals, and several body structures and their functions are identical. Numerous scientific studies confirm the similarity of human and animal reactions. Nevertheless, they correspondingly affirm the existence of multiple distinctive human characteristics that are beyond the control of any other biological species. It is evident that a profound difference between humans and the genetically nearest species has emerged, comparable in magnitude to the most revolutionary transformations in the biosphere. Man, unlike creatures, has the unique capacity for rational thought and analysis; therefore, the concept of human identity with animals is inaccurate.
Humans and Animals
Firstly, speech is the principal feature distinguishing humans from other mammals. Animals can make sounds, but they do not organize them into competent, intelligible, and coherent words. Features of intelligence and the structure of the vocal apparatus are the reasons for this peculiarity (Thorpe 83). There are other differences related to thinking, brain, and brilliance. Man himself decides the framework of conduct, guided by social norms and measures, and can determine a strategy for his movements in civilization. Humans can plan and predict, which no other living creatures on Earth are capable of. On the contrary, instincts drive all animal actions, and they do not separate themselves from nature. They acclimate to their surroundings, shaping demeanor founded on circumstances.
It cannot be accepted that man follows the laws of nature exclusively. Due to the speaking ability, each individual enjoys the experience developed in the centuries-long practice of society. One can gain knowledge and account for the content of most sensual impressions. The difference in the animal’s and man’s language determines the disparity in thinking. It is explained by the fact that each mental function develops in interaction with other parts (Thorpe 93). An animal can act only within the limits of a visually perceived situation, and it cannot go beyond it and assimilate a conceptual principle.
Moreover, humans need spiritual and cultural self-development after satisfying basic physiological needs. The demand for goods constantly increases, whereas other mammals have enough instinctive fulfillment with necessities. In numerous experiments, biologists who study animal thinking have revealed that creatures and birds occasionally show exceptional abilities and solve complex issues (Thorpe 403). Animals are not capable of such intricate mental conditioning, although some monkeys have communicative capacities. However, there is an opinion among the general public, supported by several experts, that there is still a qualitative difference between human and animal considerations (Thorpe 403). Animals cannot understand the essence of the problem and act stereotypically, sticking to a solution once found, even if conditions have changed.
The traditional model presumes that humans have the capacity for rational analysis, which distinguishes them from creatures significantly. It is unquestionable as the principal qualitative difference between man and an animal, which realizes the unique gift of foresight, is his ability to deduce logical consequences from preceding logical conclusions (Thorpe 112). As a result, a vision of reality is constructed in which the facts observed and introduced by the imagination form a logically related picture. A human capacity consists of logical background processing and creating a mental situation that has not emerged but is feasible.
Furthermore, the evolutionary emergence of the mind brought an entirely new element to creating manageable communities and governance organizations. In early life, every new step in community organization was achieved empirically (Thorpe 220). An unsuccessful trial led to death, defeat, or loss, a successful practice added something unexplored to the storehouse of evolution and experience. The ability to anticipate enabled to construct a mental scenario of community organization, imaginatively test that design in anticipated situations, refine the initial plan, and select its optimal variant depending on the developments (Thorpe 316). This aspect was the leading explanation for the remarkably rapid evolution of the human social organization and the crucial distinctions in nature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, humans and animals are living organisms that are equally afraid of pain and danger, capable of being frightened and calm. However, man’s thinking ability, and intellect, have advanced him far ahead in the process of evolution. Unlike animals, humans have the capacity for out-of-experience thinking, the power for logical processing of background, and constructing a mental situation that has not occurred earlier. It cannot be argued that humans and animals live under the law of nature. Nevertheless, the ability to think prevails over all similarities and affects human life and choice significantly.
Work Cited
Thorpe, William Homan. Animal Nature and Human Nature. Routledge, 2018.