For centuries many people have been considering a basic but difficult question: “What makes human a ‘human’?” That is, what are the differences between human and animals? It is indeed a very important question we need to discover, and think deeply into. It is said that in mid seventeenth century, when the first chimpanzee was displayed in a zoo of
London
, many scientists began to wonder: “Is this creature a human in the skin of animal, or simply an animal which looks like human?”
Today we know much more about the secret of life, everyone will undoubtedly tell you that chimpanzees, orangutans, or any other apes are all distinct from human. But what modern science can’t answer is whether such difference a quality difference or quantity difference. The ones who hold the first view claim that there must be an illuminated wall between animals and human, or we can not explain why animals cannot accumulate their knowledge and form their culture. They deeply agree with the saying that “Human is a rational animal.” It is such a distinct, though not many, difference that draw an unbreakable wall between humans and animals.
The other people, however, hold a different view. They argue that both humans and animals are the product of evolution. Human is only a more advanced kind of animal which have a fuller evolved brain, which can help us learn and create many different things which animals can’t do.
Both theories seem to be very reasonable and convincing and neither side would give in to believe the other’s viewpoint. Moreover, even some hard evidences are taken and interpreted for their own side. The quarrel continues for more than a century. Before you take a side let’s look at some of their evidences:
A group of scientists conducted an experiment on a chimpanzee and a different kind of ape. These apes are presented before a mirror, individually. At first, both species noticed there is another chimpanzee (ape) just in front of them. They will try to scare the illusionary enemy. But, after a while, only the chimpanzee was able to know the image in front of him is exactly itself. It will try to see some body parts which it cannot see by usual ways, like their teeth or tongue. Another kind of ape, however, seems unable to know the image is itself. It still tried to scare or attack the enemy, no matter how long they are placed in front of a mirror.
The research quickly gained notice. The ones who claimed that humans are different from animals said that this is a great example of how distinct we are from other species. Humans are like the chimpanzee, we have equipped with a better mental capacity which no other animals do.
The other side soon struck back. They conducted similar experiment on human babies and find that not until certain period of time could infants know the images are themselves. They claim the experiment represents not only development stage but also evolutionary stage, in which chimpanzees are on a higher stage than normal apes, and human, still higher. They repeated the conclusion of the other sides’: “Human is only an animal with better mental capacity.”
Similar issues are still on hot debate in the world of science. And it is sure that they will continue. We can see how both sides find and interpret the evidence as their support. Maybe someday we will agree that both sides are correct, they just need some kind of compromise.
