What does it mean to be a human - Essay Example

What Does It Mean To Be A Human? Introduction Over the years, scientists and social scholars have engaged in endless researches, deliberations, and debates with an aim of understanding the meaning of the concept human. Scholars have come up with conflicting perceptions and view regarding the actual characteristics, definition, and specific concepts that ought to be used to define and describe the term human. Religious elites have on the other hand come up with contradictory argument on the origin, traits as well as development of human species (Lee 3). However, despite the existence of various conflicting ideas and views about the concept human, scholars have come into a consensus on some of the main traits of human. There are some scholars who hold the perception that, the current definition of basic concepts human lacks some very essential transformation that are brought about by emerging technological development(Martin Luther King 23). In addition, modern researchers and critical thinkers have as well condemned the current information on human as being shallow and inconsistent. This therefore means that the knowledge on human is a very essential aspect in describing human growth and development. Most of the accessible information regarding human cannot stand the test of time. However, despite being inadequate, there is sufficient information to describe the concept human. The subsequent essay will therefore describe the meaning of human. What Makes Us Human? At its basic description, being human is being born with physical appearance and traits that defines their interaction with others. By referring to this definition, being human is the act one being born into the continuous community of human being. Despite having, the characters that are used to define human being, researchers and other social thinkers have as well come up with other traits that can be used to describe human. For a starter, human must understand moral principle and standards of happiness and wisdom. Every peaceful society is defined and identified by specific moral and principles. Therefore, to be categorised as human, one must demonstrate the understanding and effective utilisation of the existing moral and ethical issues. Secondly, social life is a very essential aspect that defines the concept human. In this case, social life is used to describe one interaction with other members of the society. Modes of communication, social role and responsibilities, social expectations, social roles and regulations as well as social beliefs are some of the core aspects that describe one social life. Other social aspects that are used to describe human social life entails eating pattern and habit, means of taking care of infant and new borne, means of building social networks with community members and members of other societies and acceptable means of interacting with the environment(Lee 7). Thirdly, language is a very essential factor that define peaceful community. Language is described as the main means of enhancing communication in the society. Therefore, for an individual to qualify to be human he or she ought to understand some of the basic signs and symbols that enhance effective communication in a society. On the other hand, researchers have claimed that, communication signs and symbols play a very essential role in determining the manner in which human being live and operate in the society. Language and other communication and interaction symbols as well offer new ways and means of coping with the unpredictable changes in the environment. In addition, human is defined by one’s human capacity to peaceful community and happiness. Compared to other creatures in the universe, human being is presumed to have the highest level of brain capacity to interact and communicate with others. The memory capacity of an effective and complete human is as well expected to be high and functional. Based on the accessible scientific researches and theories, as human being encounter new social, economic, cultural, and environmental challenges, their brains capacity turns out to be more complex and efficient. Therefore, human beings in development countries are expected to have higher brain capacity compared to human beings who lives in less developed environment. Body structures have a very essential role in describing human sex and temperament. Physical traits such as arms, legs, brains capacity, forehead, upward walking styles as well as eyes and ears are some of the most crucial aspects that defines human in the society. Physical structures assist human being to survive in different geographical environment. Human being who lives in deserts environmental conditions has unique traits that enable them to survive in their environment. However, despite some specific differences, there are universally acceptable physical traits that are used to differentiate human with other characters in the universe. Human happiness and wisdom is also described by the type and nature of the consumed food. In an ideal situation, human is described to be herbivorous. Despite eating vegetables, human beings are also expected to eat meat to advance their happiness. Fruits are also essential diet that enables an individual to make accurate decision. In determining human being, scientists examine one mode of eating as well as the type of consumed food. Walking styles has as well been used by various scholars to describe human in conventional and contemporary society. In the revolution history of human being, human were presumed to use four legs in their movement. As human beings evolved, their acquired an upright movement styles. Therefore, an ideal human being is supposed to use two legs in their movement. What Is Special About Human Being? Contrary to other species, human is always obsessed with discoveries. In most scenarios, human being searches for the meaning and relevance of new invention and discoveries. Human beings are on the other hand the only species that categorises and names other species in the universe. In human society there is very limited differences between men and women. The mode of classification is always based on scientific definition of the symbols and physical traits that are attached to the identified species. Human has desire and passion of understanding how new things are formed and how they work to improve their lives. Compared to other animals in the world, human being have the tendency of asking deeper questions on the purpose and meaning of new discoveries and inventions. It is only human species that have a culture and ethical beliefs that defines their happiness and wisdom. Human society is defined and described by values, perceptions, beliefs, and practices that are attached to a specific culture. Human culture is as well transferred from one generation to another. Young members of the society are trained at their early development stages on the available cultural and ethical beliefs and the most effective means of abiding by the set cultural rules (Lee 17). Members of the society are on the other hand expected to fully comply with the existing cultural beliefs and practices. Human society as well has unique religious beliefs and philosophy. Contrary other species, human being believes in the powers and influence of supernatural powers. In addition, human being believes that they have the powers and role of shaping the nature. So far, human being is the most successful species in inhabiting the universe irrespective of the prevailing ecological condition. Human beings have specific knowledge and ways of leaving in any different natural climates irrespective of the harsh natural conditions experienced in some ecosystem. On the other hand, as opposed to other species, human beings have succeeded in domesticating other animals. Human has as well managed to practise selective breeding among some animal species such as dogs and cats in order to advance their happiness and wisdom. The domesticated animals are use by human being to improve their living conditions as well as enhancing peaceful society. Domesticated dogs are for instance used for security purposes while other animals are used as sources of income and food. New invention and over exploitation of natural resources for personal gains have on the other hand threatened the survival of future generations. Human being is as well the only species that have effective communication mechanisms and symbols. Compared to other species, human being can effective communicate with each other using the commonly known communication symbols and clue. Modern technology has on the other hand played a very essential role in enhancing effective communication between human species. Contrary to other species, human has very high brain capacity. In addition, human being has sufficient memory level that enables them to remember past incidences and occurrences. Human being uses their huge memory capacity as well as their high brain level to undertake consistent researches that are aimed at improving their life styles. As opposed to other species, human being has rules and regulations that defines their sex and temperament. In most instances, the existing rules and regulations are written down while in other cases, the existing rules and regulations are defined by social interaction and cultures (Lee 19). Animals are in most cases controlled by instinct while human beings are controlled by culture, rules and regulations as well as social beliefs and expectation. Behaving contrary to the existing social expectation and norms is in most cases described as deviation of social and cultural. Deviation from social and legal norms is in most cases punishable. Human Condition Based on the available literatures, it is clear that; human being behaves and acts in accordance to the existing rules and regulations. Most social settings are managed and controlled by well-discussed and agreed upon guidelines and regulations. The existing guidelines as well offer specific procedures that ought to be followed when one contravenes the existing rules and regulation. There are also severe sanctions against individual who violates the existing rules and regulation. On the other hand, in order to encourage human beings to abide by the existing rules and regulations, there are rewards and appreciation to individuals who demonstrate extemporary performances. Natural environmental has a very essential role in determining human condition and behaviours. In most cases, human beings are compelled by natural environment to adopt systematic measures that will enable them cope with the available environmental situation. Natural surroundings also shape and influence the quality of life that an individual should live in specific environmental settings. Individual physical structures have a considerable role in defining human condition. Human being who have high memory and intellectual capacities understand the most effective means of utilising the available resources in order to cope with the current state of affairs. On the other hand, people with physical and mental challenges are compelled to adopt other means that could enable them prosper in the current environmental situation (Margaret 67). Cultural beliefs and practices are also essential in determining human condition. In most cases, cultures define the manner in which an individual ought to interact with natural and artificial environment. In addition, human behaviours are greatly affected and influenced by the exiting cultural beliefs and practices. Social expectations have as well proved to be extremely effective in shaping human conditions and behaviours. Every social setting has specific role and responsibilities that all members of the society ought to undertake in order to enhance the society’s efficiency and productivity (Lee 23). Therefore, by referring to the accessible literatures, it is clear that, human condition is largely influenced by various factors in the environment and society. Therefore, to prosper in modern society, human beings ought to understand the existing social environmental and cultural expectation. Impact of Understanding Human The understanding of human physical and social cultures has significantly changed my ideas and perception towards human being. For a starter, the knowledge on human has helped me to acknowledge the fact that, human being is a very special species. Compared to other species, human being has the power to influence and control natural environment as well as others species that are contained in the universe. It is only human species that have specific culture and social beliefs. Cultures on the other hand, play a very critical role in shaping human behaviours and practices. Interaction in human being society is as well determined by common clues and symbols that enhance effective communication. As opposed to other species, human being practices are largely influences by cultural beliefs and social practices. Activities and operations of other species are influenced by instinct. The understanding of human behaviours has as well advanced my knowledge on human brain and thinking capacity. Contrary to other animals, human being has high memory capacity that enables them to remember past happenings and incidences. High human intelligent level has on the other hand played a very critical role in necessitating modern technological and social development. Therefore, it is factual to state that, human being has powers and ability to control and manage other species in the world. In addition, despite playing a noticeable role in improving the current environmental situation, human being has a role in degrading the natural environment. Work cited Lee A. Jacobus. A world of idea, Eighth Edition. New York, NY: Bedford/St. Martin's. 2009. Print Margaret Mead. Sex and Temperament. New York, NY: Bedford/St. Martin's. 1997. Print Martin Luther King. Letter from Birmingham Jail. London: SAGE publishers 2009. Print Niccolo Machiavelli. The quality of prince. New York, NY: Bedford/St. Martin's. 1997. Print Read More