Emotions are what makes human beings people. Its what defines us, as an individual, and a species. No other living organism on this planet can fell like we do, no other organism on this planet, can love or hate or empathise or despise, like we can. For the very thing that sets us apart, can sometimes be our greatest weakness. Human beings can be noted for many higher brain functions that other creatures lack. Our brains are so developed we have developed the ability for speech, and its most promising feature, its allowed us to expand beyond simply procreating and gave us the freedom to branch out. We've elected and toppled governments, drove species to extinction and back again. We've even discovered how to manipulate the genome that makes us unique.
But many would argue what truly makes us unique, is not our 46 chromosomes, but the feelings that truly giude us. I for one, have no stance on this except to say that without either, i wouldn't be able to call you a person. I cant begin to tell you why we do some of the things we do. Like jump on grenades. Or send millions of people to their deaths in a gas chamber. I cant tell you those things, sometimes i like to think no one can. And if your argument is, people do these things because their wired too, ill ask you why, but if you tell me its because they were great or terrible people. I'll say bull.
I just like every other stong willed person believe in heros and villains. Saints and sinners. But what really gets me is the overwhelming question mark looming over the whole exchange. I've always asked the questions, always wanted an answer, and if you cant answer me, ill write you off. But im sure there are people who would writie me off for doing just that, and scoff at me, and my shall we say disbelief? Im as confused to this point as you the reader must be now, but ill leave you with a final proclamtion, im a believer in human ingenuity, individuality, and free thought. I'm a beleiver in the Human Condition.
Really well written matt. I agree with what you say about not being able to call someone a person if they weren't able to feel. And I also share the same beliefs as you on this subject.
ReplyDeleteI like your arguement in this blog Matt. But I have to disagree when you say and I quote, "No other living organism can feel like we do, no other organism on this planet, can love or hate or emphasise or despise, like we can". I do not believe this is so. Other organisms have been proven to show emotion in other ways. Yea, we might not be able to understand them but there has been proof in science of communication. Besides that point I mostly agree with you on the subject.
ReplyDeleteInteresting rumination on what it means to be a human being. What does separate man from animals? I don't necessary think it's feelings, because dogs and cats can experience emotions, and even penguins can demonstrate love for their offspring. I think that humans are uniquely aware that their actions have consequences, and that they have the ability to choose these consequences (either by activity or inactivity), or choose to avoid the potential consequences of actions. Choice is the opperative phrase here.
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