Audrey M. answered • 01/09/24
MD
This is a complex question that will spark a lot of debate, but it boils down to: Yes, humans are animals from a scientific perspective. We are mammals that exist in the animal kingdom of the species Homo sapiens. We are evolutionarily related to many other species, some of our closest genetic relatives being the chimpanzee and the bonobo.
However, often people who ask this question are not looking for the technical scientific definition, but are wondering about the many ways that humans are set apart from other animal species. This is where things get more interesting, because human evolution diverged thanks to a series of events a very long time ago. There was a point millions of years ago when the greater apes split from the lesser apes, and since then human brains have developed to a size that is proportionally larger than many other species. Due to our enlarged cortex, we have advanced processing power and cognition that many animals do not possess. The ability to think, learn, communicate, and develop tools are aspects that set us apart from most species. Our languages, cultures, social/emotional awareness, systems of religion and government, etc. are all quite unique and impressive! So, to equate a human to a dog or cat would not be a good comparison (nor would comparing an elephant to a hamster, or a crow to a moose). Animals are all different and possess different cognitive abilities.
Human evolution and brain development is something you could (and many do) spend years studying. The short answer is that humans are animals, but we are very cool animals!
Hope this helps. These questions are always fun to think about and discuss.
Audrey M.
Yes, I agree. The scientific definition of what defines an "animal" is not the same as the literary sense of the word. There are connotations to the word when used in literature that are not involved in the biological categorization. Often it is used to simply describe non-human animals. Or in conversation or writing you may see people describing someone metaphorically as an "animal" to say they are a "beast" or a "non human" entity. The argument could be made that the word "animal" has multiple practical meanings. However, if you are asked if humans are animals, the technical answer (according to science) is yes.01/10/24
Hailey P.
Thanks Audrey! This is super helpful information and I appreciate you clarifying and answering all of the questions I have! So, to clarify, classifying humans as an animal biologically and scientifically is not necessarily classifying a human as a non human animal, a beast, etc.? It is based off of a group of characteristics shared in common between humans and other species? Thanks again!01/11/24
Caleb C.
how about people who believe in god05/22/24
Hailey P.
I get it. So you are saying that humans are considered animals from a biological perspective. Would you say the scientific classification definition of animal, and the term animal used in everyday conversation have two different meanings and/or definitions? For instance, in everyday conversation, it is typically referring to non human animals. And then for classification purposes it’s more about certain characteristics that classify humans as animals?01/10/24