Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id AAA06613 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Sun, 17 Dec 2000 00:16:33 GMT Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000 16:13:16 -0800 Message-Id: <200012170013.QAA10722@mail1.bigmailbox.com> Content-Type: text/plain Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: binary X-Mailer: MIME-tools 4.104 (Entity 4.116) X-Originating-Ip: [209.240.220.175] From: "Scott Chase" <hemidactylus@my-deja.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Our human selves Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk('binary' encoding is not supported, stored as-is)
>Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 18:40:30 +0000
>To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>Subject: Re: Our human selves
>From: Robin Faichney <robin@reborntechnology.co.uk>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>
>On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 04:07:46PM -0500, Wade T.Smith wrote:
>> On 12/14/00 14:37, Robin Faichney said this-
>>
>> >All that's special about humans is that we think we are.
>> >
>> >Think about it.
>>
>> Ain't that enough?
>
>That is ENTIRELY a matter of opinion. Like I've said already, this
>is not an objective issue. You're at perfect liberty to view people
>as intrinsically special, against the background of other species --
>just don't claim that's an objective fact.
>
>
There's two ways to look at the issue of human "specialness". One way is merely to say that we are special in our own right when compared with other species in the way we fit into the phylogenetic *spectrum*. Whatever attributes we possess which set us apart apply, though the difference may be in degree and not kind versus our closest relatives. I have no problems with distinguishing humans in this way. Our accomplishments as a species are important to consider. Phylogenetically speaking, though, these accomplishments do not warrant pulling our species very far from our chimp cousins, within our common family of Hominidae. We are still apes when you get down to the nitty gritty. Maybe we are a third chimp (sensu Jared Diamond).
The less palatable way of look at human specialness or uniqueness is to say that we are elevated in the phylogenetic *scale* or ladder many rungs *above* other species. For every person asserting this outdated view there are multitudes of "lowly" microbes ready to kick their butts.
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