Are we "above" other animals? (souls, America, reincarnation)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Animals come up in this forum often, and in various contexts. I've seen threads about whether it's ethical to eat animals, whether hunting is good or bad, whether animals have souls, whether they go to heaven, and so on. I've read posts from people who consider their pets as important as any human family member, and from people who don't undertsand that at all. But that vast majority of people I know, regardless of their beliefs, consider humans to be at the top of the totem pole. Christians point to the Bible and say that we were given dominion over animals. I've heard people of non-denominational faiths say that humans are God's highest expression of Himself. Those who believe in reincarnation and that souls incarnate as animals believe that they incarnate "upward" to humans. Whenever the topic of evolution comes up, inevitably some people are disgusted by the idea of humans having evolved from monkeys (yes, I know that's not what evolution says).
I'm reminded of that great Steven Wright line: "I used to think that my brain was the most important part of my body -- until I realized what part of my body was thinking that." In other words, our checklist of what constitutes "superior" qualities in a species just happens to consist of those qualities that humans possess. Yes, we have the greatest raw IQ of any species (as far as we know). But we can't best a grizzly bear or a shark in a fight. We can't survive unaided in many places that animals can. We can't run as fast as a cheetah. We don't have the visual acuity of an eagle, or the sense of smell of a dog.
I can't objectively say that humans are "better" than other species. Like any species, we have an instinctual vested interest in our own survival, and most people translate that survival instinct into a feeling of innate superiority. The difference is that no other species (as far as we know) even considers questions like this. I doubt that a lion empathizes with the gazelle she kills and eats.
I have no real point, other than to say that I appreciate and respect animals (to varying degrees, admittedly) for what they are: well adapted to their particular niches, and important to the global ecosystem. I love many of them as pets, and enjoy the connections I have. I do eat meat. I've always admired the Native American view of animals, which is pretty similar. I find nothing at all distasteful about being a member of the ape family. Let's face it: humans have habits that are as disgusting as those of any animal we care to name.
I believe Nietzsche said it best, "All too human". Your post is pretty spot on with an ability to jot down what you think; much better than my mere short-order cooks mind ever could produce. So i'll just leave it at that and best wishes...
Even though many animals are superior than humans in some ways (speed, strength, etc.), our ability to make tools trumps all of that. We have vehicles that can easily overtake a cheetah. We use lenses to let us see things our eyes can't. We have guns and weapons and can kill a grizzly or shark without even getting scratched. So, I think that technically, we do have dominion over all animals.
However, I don't think that means that we should take advantage of that fact. IMO, the dominion we have over animals, whether it's just a fluke of evolution or granted to us by God, gives us the responsibility to take care of them. That's not to say that I don't think we should eat meat or hunt, but we have a responsibility to be humane.
Finally, I'm not convinced that our superior brain power and reasoning skills put us above other animals in the sense of being a good species. Those qualities allow us to do some really crappy things to ourselves, animals, and the entire planet. The "inferior" animals would never be able to cause the havoc that our intellect managed to create.
Years ago, in a philosophy class, the instructor said that the only difference between humans and animals is that animals fornicate and defecate in public.
our intellegence is much much better than any animal-and this is so we can aquire spiritual knowledge then put it into practice and attain spiritual awareness and although spiritually as soul's we are no different to any living thing still the animals cant understand their higher nature,but someday they will....TWIB
No animal is better than another, only better suited to their environment.
Humans do not deserve better treatment than animals.
I believe we have a duty to prevent as much part to people AND animals as we can, but, are you saying that the death of a puppy is just as bad and mournful than that of an infant or toddler?
Are you saying that animals do not mourn their dead?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
