ANSWERS: 16
  • Perhaps because we are not...
  • I thought we were mammals or something lol
  • Perhaps because they lack that taxonomic knowledge. When I was in high school, a guy tried to tell me that birds aren't animals because they don't have hair or fur. Apparently his misunderstanding of the word animal was that he thought it meant mammal, and not the taxonomic kingdom that includes mammals. If not that, then perhaps they think that humans are plants. ;)
  • This is one of the (may) cases when distinctions appropriate to one field are not appropriate to another. Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? It depends on the context: to a botanist it is a fruit, to a cook it is a vegetable. Neither is right or wring in an absolute sense, though either can be right or wrong in different circumstances. Similarly, to a zoologist, humans are undoubtedly animals. But to a politicians, humans (particularly voters than those they care about) from a distinct group from animals which are not voters. It is therefore legitimate in a political discussion to distinguish humans from animals. We distinguish birds from reptiles, even though we know that birds are descended from reptiles. So also with humans: in some circumstances is appropriate regard humans as animals and in others to distinguish them.
  • Because we are not animals in that sense of the word. Of course we are a species of animal... But as far as the expression "You're such an Animal." goes... It is in reference to the lower animals of the animal kingdom. Other animals... Cannot reason, rationalize and nor do they have the ability to actualize or use empathy in specific situation or scenerio. They are instinctual, as are we... but on a primal level, not as a higher thinking creature. Those humans who lack the ability or decide to ignore it... are therefore referred to the lower animals of the spectrum by their actions which are more instinct based than empathetic or rational. "Pick up a snake out of kindness and you learn fast, the limitations of kindness." African proverb.
  • Usually when a distinction is made, it's in a context that refers to a huge difference between us and other animals. We have a pre-frontal cortex that gives us the ability to reason, even reason through an 'animal instinct.' We have the ability to second guess our instincts and control our animal urges. That's why when people act overly aggressive or unreasonably reactionary, we call them (and their behavior) 'animal'.
  • I thought we were animals. That's what I think, anyway.
  • I think it's because of 3 common thoughtforms: 1) 'us vs. them', or the concept of the 'other'; this is tied into historical racial or ethnic or 'sex role' divisions of the 'other', even within our own species- Jews in Germany in WWII were seen as sub-human, African slaves weren't seen as people, the current gender inequalities in the world; 2) our ability to exploit our environment, and, maybe because of that, our removal of ourselves, especially in our minds, from nature (into urbanity) 3) narcissism, coupled back with 1, and with hierarchical thinking, as several have stated.
  • That's where they are wrong we are just animals we are no different. EDIT: IF someone is gonna give me a negative rating can they please explain why? Thank you.
  • Its human nature (or perhaps the influence of religion) that makes people distinguish between 'us' and 'animals'. For those who know there is a difference, it is often just easier to seperate the two in every day discourse.
  • The reason people make such a distinction is because humans have a lot of traits that set us apart from other animals, the main one being the fact that we are not only able to adapt biologically to environments and situations, but also culturally. Other animals don't have culture, but humans do. That's a big difference.
  • We are classified as animals, but the following makes human different. I'm sure there is more, etc. Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection and problem solving. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees the forelimbs (arms) for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species. Humans are social by nature. Humans are particularly adept at utilizing systems of communication—primarily spoken, gestural, and written language—for self-expression, the exchange of ideas, and organization. Humans create complex social structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families to nations. Social interactions between humans have established an extremely wide variety of traditions, rituals, ethics, values, social norms, and laws, which together form the basis of human society. Human culture shows a marked appreciation for beauty and aesthetics, which, combined with the desire for self-expression and proportionally a very large brain-size, has led to innovations such as art, writing, literature and music.
  • For thesame reason a lion doesn't group himself with penguins. Kinda.
  • We have consciousness & and a larger (IQ wise) brain, we communicate with language, we know of our own mortality, we attempt to "overcome" our environment. If you believe in God and/or reject evolutionary theory - you don't identify as a member of the animal species.
  • Because people have a desire to feel superior to animals.
  • maybe cause they dont like to think of themselves as animals

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