Many people find it hard to believe that humans are animals, but animals we are.
Humans belong to the biological kingdom Animalia, just like all other living organisms that are classified as animals.
Specifically, humans are members of the class Mammalia, which means we share common characteristics with other mammals such as having hair, mammary glands, and a four-chambered heart. Despite our advanced cognitive abilities, cultural practices, and technological achievements, we are still classified as animals due to our biological and genetic makeup.
It’s significant that we stand erect
It is significant that humans stand erect, as it is one of the defining characteristics that separates us from other primates and animals. The ability to stand and walk upright on two legs, also known as bipedalism, is a unique adaptation that has had a significant impact on the evolution and development of humans. Some of the benefits of bipedalism include:
- Freeing up our hands for tool use and manipulation: Walking on two legs allowed our hands to be freed up from locomotion, which allowed for the development and refinement of tools and technology.
- Improved long-distance mobility: Walking upright on two legs allows for greater endurance and the ability to cover long distances, which is beneficial for hunting, gathering, and migration.
- Increased visibility: Standing upright provides a better vantage point for scanning the environment, which can be useful for detecting predators or prey.
- Reduced exposure to solar radiation: By standing upright, humans are exposed to less direct sunlight, which reduces the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
Standing erect is believed to have played a significant role in the development of several cognitive abilities in humans. Here are a few ways in which standing upright may have contributed to our cognitive abilities:
- Increased brain size: Bipedalism allowed for the expansion of the brain in humans, as walking on two legs freed up our hands for tool use and manipulation, leading to the development of more complex and advanced tools. This increase in brain size has been linked to improved cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, memory, and language. It’s important to note though that brain size is not the only factor that determines intelligence or cognitive abilities. Different animals have different brain structures and functions, and their intelligence and cognitive abilities are shaped by their specific evolutionary history and ecological niche.
- Enhanced spatial awareness: Standing upright provides humans with an elevated view of the environment, allowing us to develop a more detailed and nuanced understanding of spatial relationships. This increased spatial awareness has been linked to the development of cognitive abilities such as navigation, mental mapping, and spatial reasoning.
- Improved social interactions: Bipedalism allowed for the development of more complex social interactions among humans. Standing upright may have allowed for improved communication and gesturing, as well as better displays of emotion and intention.
- Increased cognitive flexibility: Walking on two legs requires a higher level of balance and coordination than walking on four legs, which may have contributed to the development of increased cognitive flexibility in humans. This cognitive flexibility has been linked to the ability to adapt to new situations, learn new skills, and solve problems creatively.
Overall, the ability to stand upright is believed to have contributed to several cognitive abilities in humans, which have allowed us to develop more complex societies, technologies, and cultures.
Relative brain size
When it comes to brain size, humans have one of the largest brains relative to their body size among all animals. However, there are a few animals that have brains that are roughly comparable in size to that of humans.
- Dolphins: The brain of a bottlenose dolphin is similar in size to that of a human, with some studies suggesting that dolphins may have even more convolutions in their brains than humans.
- Chimpanzees: The brains of chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, are about one-third the size of a human brain. However, certain areas of the chimpanzee brain are thought to be more developed than their human counterparts, such as the area related to memory.
- Elephants: The brain of an adult elephant is about 3 times the size of a human brain, although the cerebral cortex of an elephant is less convoluted than that of humans.
- Whales and porpoises: Some species of whales and porpoises, such as the sperm whale and the orca, have brains that are larger than the human brain, but with a different structure due to their aquatic environment.
As stated above, brain size is not the only factor that determines intelligence or cognitive abilities.
It’s incorrect to say humans only use 10% of their brain
The notion that humans only use 10% of their brain is a common myth. In reality, humans use a significant portion of their brain throughout their daily lives, although the specific percentage may vary depending on the task being performed.
Various studies have shown that the average human uses a large proportion of their brain, often exceeding 50% of its capacity during normal, everyday activities. For example, brain imaging studies have shown that even during simple tasks such as resting, the brain is active and consuming a significant amount of energy.
However, it is true that different regions of the brain are specialized for different functions, and certain areas may be more active or less active depending on the task being performed. In addition, certain individuals may have more efficient or less efficient brains, depending on factors such as genetics, environment, and experience.
So, overall, it is incorrect to suggest that humans only use a small percentage of their brain. The brain is a complex and constantly active organ that is essential for our daily functioning and survival.
Are we humans superior animals?
The question of whether humans are superior to all other animals is a complex and contentious issue that has been debated for centuries. From a purely biological perspective, humans are undeniably one of the most advanced species on Earth in terms of their cognitive, technological, and cultural achievements. Humans have evolved complex social systems, developed advanced technologies, and have created complex cultural systems that allow them to survive and thrive in a wide range of environments.
However, the concept of superiority is inherently subjective and can be viewed from different angles. For example, from an ecological perspective, every species has its own unique adaptations that enable it to survive in its particular environment, and each species plays a critical role in maintaining the overall balance of the ecosystem. Some animals, such as bees, have highly specialized abilities that allow them to perform tasks in a way that humans cannot, such as pollinating plants (although humans can achieve this utilising technology).
It’s important to recognize that every species has its own strengths and limitations, and that each species has evolved to thrive in its own unique ecological niche.
Self-destruction
The possibility of humans destroying themselves completely is a sobering and alarming prospect. While humans have made tremendous progress in terms of technology and science, we have also created many destructive tools and technologies that have the potential to cause catastrophic harm.
Nuclear weapons, for example, have the power to destroy entire cities and even countries, and the use of such weapons could potentially trigger a global catastrophe.
War has been called a psychotic-event. Psychosis is a mental health condition characterized by a loss of contact with reality, which can include symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. While it is difficult to definitively diagnose psychosis in animals, there is evidence to suggest that other animals may experience similar symptoms.
For example, studies have shown that some primates, such as chimpanzees and gorillas, may experience hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms that are similar to those seen in humans with psychosis. Similarly, dogs and cats have been observed displaying behaviours that are consistent with certain psychotic symptoms, such as chasing their tails excessively, becoming fixated on objects, and experiencing disordered thinking.
Anthropomorphising
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human-like characteristics to non-human entities, such as animals or objects. While it is common for humans to anthropomorphise animals, it is unclear whether animals themselves are capable of this cognitive process.
Some studies have suggested that animals may be able to understand and respond to human emotional states, such as recognizing when a human is angry or sad. This has been observed in species such as dogs, which have been bred for thousands of years to work closely with humans and are able to understand human body language and vocal cues.
Similarly, some primates, such as chimpanzees and orangutans, have been observed exhibiting behaviours that are similar to human behaviours, such as using tools, playing games, and displaying emotions, giving the thumbs up. However, it is unclear whether these behaviours represent true anthropomorphism, are a development of evolution or are simply a form of mimicry.