What It Means to Be Human

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Many characteristics in mankind make us different from the other beings of the world. We walk upright and eat with our hands just like some other mammals. We love and fight just like other species. But how do we differ from animals? What makes us human? To be human means to have the capability to determine right from wrong and make decisions based on what we think is right or wrong in any given situation. Animals do not decide things. They just do things based on instinct and necessity. Human beings, on the other hand, are a selfish species. We want all that we can get and we will attempt to get what we want in any way we feel is fit. Let’s look at this from the most basic principles of life. An animal that is hungry will search for its prey, or find the land that can supply its most essential needs. A human who is hungry could simply follow the same patterns as an animal in the wild in order to satisfy this need. However, a human will have a craving or taste for something in particular. Although he may not have the means to buy this craving and could just settle on what he has in his cupboards, he decides that he will go to the convenience store and “pick up” a few of the items he feels he needs. Again he does not have the means to buy so instead he chooses to steal. The person who steals his food out of mere craving rather than need exhibits a simple sense of the term selfish. He knows it is wrong to steal, yet this craving is too strong. He MUST get this craving by any means possible. He rarely thinks about the consequence of his actions as he rationalizes that he needed to steal since he had no money. An animal in search of safety and security will find refuge in some brush or a hole in the ground. A person in search of the same thing typically has superficial needs that must be accommodated. The home must have a certain number

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