As we are entering a new unit let us address a key issue and your definition. What makes us human and how far can we alter our bodies before we become something else?
The biological definition of "human" is becoming more blurred as we learn more about the common genes we share across the evolutionary spectrum. We should therefore try to define human more broadly. A human should exhibit Intelligence, Self-awareness, and Consciousness. This definition wound encompass any sentient creature and extend beyond the biological from we commonly hold as human. As technology develops it will soon be possible to merge humans more and more with machine. Who is to say that the new creature is any less human. Consider an android that has met the criteria stated above. Is it any less human because it is silicon based instead of carbon based or because it was built instead of evolved. We should avoid egocentric definitions of human. Perhaps to be truly human we have truly embrace all sentient life.
I think that a person is defined by being able to exhibit higher thinking; being able to know, believe, love, fear, interact makes us all people. Being able to reason and solve problems involving higher levels of cognitive function also makes us who we are.
I also agree with Kristi regarding the barrier dividing humans and technology. As we begin to merge more and more with science and machinery, I truly believe that there will be a time when an individual is not able to be distinguished between man and machine.
A person is defined of being a human when they are able to think and have feelings. Being a human consists of many things, like being able to care for others and love. Humans can also exhibit fear. Humans can also exhibit hate. There are many things can be considered human.
People alter their appearance everyday, but this is just physical changes. I think altering your body with too much technology would be going to far, but we do it everyday in healthcare. Humans are now able to get pacemakers to control the pace of your heart beat. We can control someone's breathing with tubes and keep them on life support. I think once all of your independent thinking has left, for example; brain damage, would cause you to be nonhuman. You still have your body, but you can't think, that is not a way to live, that is not living.
Defining a human I believe need the ability to have empathy, a little understanding, and be able to love. This should or could be shown to all living beings. Humans should be able to show and express fear, concern, and emotions. I could probably make a long list of things that I believe can define a human.
What defines us as human is our ability to speak and express ourselves. We are innately disposed to sacrifice ourselves to help others. We observe social norms and have values and morals. Altering our bodies does not truly take away who we are on the inside.
The biological definition of "human" is becoming more blurred as we learn more about the common genes we share across the evolutionary spectrum. We should therefore try to define human more broadly. A human should exhibit Intelligence,
ReplyDeleteSelf-awareness, and Consciousness. This definition wound encompass any sentient creature and extend beyond the biological from we commonly hold as human. As technology develops it will soon be possible to merge humans more and more with machine. Who is to say that the new creature is any less human. Consider an android that has met the criteria stated above. Is it any less human because it is silicon based instead of carbon based or because it was built instead of evolved. We should avoid egocentric definitions of human. Perhaps to be truly human we have truly embrace all sentient life.
I think that a person is defined by being able to exhibit higher thinking; being able to know, believe, love, fear, interact makes us all people. Being able to reason and solve problems involving higher levels of cognitive function also makes us who we are.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Kristi regarding the barrier dividing humans and technology. As we begin to merge more and more with science and machinery, I truly believe that there will be a time when an individual is not able to be distinguished between man and machine.
A person is defined of being a human when they are able to think and have feelings. Being a human consists of many things, like being able to care for others and love. Humans can also exhibit fear. Humans can also exhibit hate. There are many things can be considered human.
ReplyDeletePeople alter their appearance everyday, but this is just physical changes. I think altering your body with too much technology would be going to far, but we do it everyday in healthcare. Humans are now able to get pacemakers to control the pace of your heart beat. We can control someone's breathing with tubes and keep them on life support. I think once all of your independent thinking has left, for example; brain damage, would cause you to be nonhuman. You still have your body, but you can't think, that is not a way to live, that is not living.
Defining a human I believe need the ability to have empathy, a little understanding, and be able to love. This should or could be shown to all living beings. Humans should be able to show and express fear, concern, and emotions. I could probably make a long list of things that I believe can define a human.
ReplyDeletebeing a human is to have the ability of abstract thinking, we are defined by our thoughts, beliefs, fears, and loves.
ReplyDeleteWhat defines us as human is our ability to speak and express ourselves. We are innately disposed to sacrifice ourselves to help others. We observe social norms and have values and morals. Altering our bodies does not truly take away who we are on the inside.
ReplyDelete