Definition Of Being Human

Superior Essays
Show More
Although we could never really define human, there are several ways that we can describe humans. There are different ways that people can describe what it means to be human, based on their own beliefs. There is no answer because it is subjective. Some believe that in order to be a human all that is needed is a spirit; some believe somewhere in between: in order to be a human, you must have a spirit and body. For others, being human means being free and being able to make your own choices. I personally believe all three of these variables, taken together, describes what makes us human.
Essentialists theorize that having a soul is more important than merely having a physical body; they believe that the person resides in the brain, personality, …show more content…
Together, a physical body and a soul, rather than one or the other, makes us the most free. It is said that in actuality, no one is completely free. However, humans like to think that we are free and that we have the ability to make our own decisions based on free will. As humans, it is an important part of our life to make decisions on a daily basis in order to live our lives, even if we are not completely free. Even with hard determinists, who say that everything is already fixed or predetermined either by God or fate, there are the soft determinists who believe that we can change or determine the course of events by using our free will. I believe that, soft determinism plays a big role in our lives. I do believe we have some freedom to an extent, or at least it seems that way to me. Even if what happens in our lives really is predetermined, I feel that I can make day to day decisions, such as what I am going to wear or who I am going to become friends with, on my own. I strongly believe that being able to feel like you have free will, even if it may be an illusion, makes us human.
The question, what does it mean to be human, is very complex; there is no single, correct answer. In all, to be human, to me, means having a spirit where all of your thoughts and ideas reside, as well as having a physical body so you can experience physical things and you can make the choices you want to. Without a physical body, you may still be “you”, but you will not able to experience or execute things as you did

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Sociology Of Leopard Man Analysis
    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Sociology Of Leopard Man Analysis

    Individuality is the quality of a particular person that distinguishes them from others. Often times in the world, we are forced to give up our individuality and conform with others. In Logan Fey’s article, The Sociology of Leopard Man, he claims that to be a human is to be an individual human, with individual tastes, talents, morals, etc. I agree with Fey, that being human is to be an individual, but some of our traits have been influenced by other people, or sometimes we are forced to give up our individuality for certain things, but we all must find our own way of living as ourselves content in society. Being an individual human means that one develops their own personality, attributes, tastes, goals, talents, and morals.…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    An Analysis Of Station Eleven By Emily St. John Mandel
    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages

    An Analysis Of Station Eleven By Emily St. John Mandel

    This essentially means that to be human, one must do more than just survive, and by doing the bare minimum human beings are no better than animals. No, to be human in their eyes means to have a connection to creativity and passion, to express oneself in a way that is intellectually or creatively stimulating to themselves and others. So Kirsten, in this regard, is fully human, because she chooses to do the things she loves, rather than just survive with nothing to show for…

    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Emotions In Langston Hughes's Salvation
    • 1075 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Emotions In Langston Hughes's Salvation

    We All Have Them Human beings belong to the species of Homo sapiens and are of the genus homo. Because of their mental capacity and development, speaking capability, they have been distinguished from other animals. Human beings are also the only creatures that can think on 4 levels which are emotions, beliefs, facts and ideas. We have them.…

    • 1075 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Essay On Conflict Between Freedom And Determinism
    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On Conflict Between Freedom And Determinism

    If determinism is true, then it is impossible for a person to have free will because a person that could not act otherwise than he did does not act freely. This view is also known as incompatibilism. However, according to a soft determinist, one who believes that humans are determined and still free, the first mistake about the argument of incompatibilism is that freedom and determinism oppose each other. Soft determinists believe that determinism conflicts with freedom because of the misconception of freedom.…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    The Consequence Argument Analysis
    • 1265 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Consequence Argument Analysis

    Psychologically speaking, as humans, we are wired to think that we have the freedom to act and do based upon our own self judgment. For simplistic reasons, let’s assume that this “freedom” is analogous to free will which is a philosophical idea in which to act freely is to have multiple open futures and possibilities, or to be able to choose between many different choices. Determinism is the belief that every event (including action, choices, and decisions) is the inevitable result of a causal chain of events. In other words, a choice with an action (A) is the inevitable result of an earlier action of an earlier choice. This principle presents a problem for the concept of free will.…

    • 1265 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Hard Determinism And John Locke's Theory Of Human Philosophy
    • 1821 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Hard Determinism And John Locke's Theory Of Human Philosophy

    Human behaviors, actions, desires and memories are all subjects that are discussed in everyday philosophy. Philosophy is defined as the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. Philosophy has a lot to do with the future. When it comes to philosophy the future is already set and no one knows what will happen until the time comes and that is called hard determinism. Hard determinism is a theory that human behavior and actions are determined by external factors, and therefore humans do not have genuine free will or ethical accountability.…

    • 1821 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Hebrew Bible Thesis
    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hebrew Bible Thesis

    Brief Paper Senior Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies Dr. Packer Eric G. Shuping March 23, 2015 Brief Paper The Hebrew Bible shows us the creation of Heaven and Earth created by God. Human nature proves to us the Hebrew Bible does not allow human beings to act independently or having the freedom to do so without answering to the Creator of heaven and earth.…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Characteristics Of Victor In Frankenstein
    • 905 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Characteristics Of Victor In Frankenstein

    What makes us human? Some would say it is our appearance and how we look, but others say it is what is on the inside that makes us human, for example our morals, beliefs, and they way we interact with others. In the book, Frankenstein, Victor and his creation are contrasted of who is more human. The creature is more of a human than Victor because he shows more compassion, his longing for a companionship, and he is selfless.…

    • 905 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Staying Human Analysis
    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Staying Human Analysis

    “Staying Human”- Analyzing 1984 Since the first publication of the novel 1984 by George Orwell, startling questions have been raised regarding the meaning of “staying human.” In a totalitarian government like one featured in the novel, where citizens are desensitized to their very emotions and indoctrinated into propaganda, this becomes quite a feat. But what does it mean to stay human? Is it to act on ones emotions and whims, to be free, under ones own control, or is there something more.…

    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Argumentative Essay On Determinism And Free Will
    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Argumentative Essay On Determinism And Free Will

    We, human beings, in the universe, all feel as though we are making decisions and using our free will each day. We are not forced to do things, we will them to be done. The higher power of God derives in us free will. Determinism is ultimately…

    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Escape From Freedom By Jean-Paul Sartre, Erich Fromm
    • 1541 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Escape From Freedom By Jean-Paul Sartre, Erich Fromm

    Who or what defines human nature? How do human beings shape and create their existence? Humankind is a benevolent species that is fueled by compassion, empathy, kindness, love, and many other emotions that allow people to care for those around them. As a result, human beings are constantly creating and reshaping their existence simultaneously through the choices they make. However, the ability to freely choose and decide can bring positive or negative outcomes on behalf of humankind.…

    • 1541 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Descartes In The Film I, Robot
    • 961 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Descartes In The Film I, Robot

    In the movie I, Robot we are introduced to a long debated philosophical question: “What makes a human being human?”. Is the essence of mankind the fact that we are biologically unique among the myriad of different species on this planet? Is it the fact that we seem to have transcended our baser needs in order to try and make the world fit us as opposed to us fitting into the world around us? Is it perhaps that we have what people would call a “soul”? Or is it possibly that we were said to have either evolved from our animal counterparts, the primates, in order to be what we consider better?…

    • 961 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    What Does It Mean To Be Human
    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Does It Mean To Be Human

    The question “what does it mean to be human?” is a very well-known one that’s been asked time and time again. Being human consists of being a part of culture, the necessity to socialize and its effects, and the mental capabilities they can utilize. Being human is a distinct separation between humans and animals and is summarized with the three main social sciences. In regards to anthropology, every human is human because they are affected by a culture that no other animals have in common with the human race.…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Free Will Vs Determinism Essay
    • 900 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Free Will Vs Determinism Essay

    Free Will and Determinism have been discussed by philosophers for many years. Free will is associated with moral responsibility, and alternative actions that “could have” been taken over the one chosen. Determinism is the opposite view, and is associated with universal causation, and a lack of free will. Determinists believe that a person’s actions are inevitable, they are dictated by a person’s experiences, they believe nurture, nature, and even a person’s genes determine their future actions. Because of this determinists believe people hold no moral responsibility for their actions.…

    • 900 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    The York Play Of Crucifixion Analysis
    • 1508 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The York Play Of Crucifixion Analysis

    However, some artists get relatively close, and give pretty good explanation as to what it is. The York 's Play of Crucifixion especially shows what it means to be human, in a very intelligent and interesting way. What I believe means to be human is imperfection. As humans, we physically cannot be perfect. There is not one person…

    • 1508 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings