To be Human

What does it mean to be human? Well, that can imply a lot. Does this question refer to our biological origins or our specific abilities of which no other animal has? I would like to focus on the specific abilities that are unique to the human race alone. These certain qualities involve our incredible sense of emotion. We grieve, love, and hate so strongly. Other animals, such as dolphins and elephants, show grief and love but not in the same capacity in which humans do. To be human incorporates our emotions, but most importantly, how we act on them and react to them. Having a strong sense of emotion has allowed us to be caring, helpful, loving, etc - all attributes that are essential for surviving. Our innate ability to care for a neighbor or watch after our children has allowed us to survive, and thrive, for thousands of years. The metaphorical sense of what it means to be human has been argued and discussed throughout history. I believe, like I said at the beginning, that to be human is to incorporate several abilities. I also believe in the complexity of being human - there is not one answer, but rather, thousands for why we are, who we are, and what we are. From a religious (Christian) perspective, to be human is to be a creation of God. Our purpose in life, according to this faith, is to glorify our creator. To be human is to be a representation of God and His goodness, mercy, grace, and incredible love. To be human means to be forgiven, to be freed, to be in union with a savior. This is a good example of the myriad beliefs of what it means to be human. Religions tend to relate our being to a supreme being - that our very existence is to be of use to said being or that we are divined in a sense that that supreme being has chosen us, humans, to perform a task/carry out a duty that only we can. This sets us apart from other animals - the concept that we were created for so much more. 

What does it mean to be a man? I look at it from this perspective - a man is known for being a provider, hunter, and father. Their role in society is to be an example, to help provide for their families, and be leaders of government, etc. To be a man is to encompass all of these ideals - the aspect of being a provider, father, and leader. 

What does it mean to be a woman? This is a tough question because the idea of feminism and women's suffrage. Recently, women have advocating for their rights. They want to be equal to men in education, politics, health care, wealth (pay), and voice. To be a woman in today's world means to be strong, independent, and viewed as equal to men. It no longer means (entirely) to be a mother, carer, or nurturer, although those things most certainly are still important and valued. 

To be an artist is to express the world through painting, drawing, music, writing, photography, etc. It is to interpret the world through the lens of a different nature - artists see the world for what it was, what it is, and what it could be. The general public tends to see the world simply as is. 

The quote from The Creative Impulse,  "our insistence on cognitive knowing may have already robbed us of some of our capacity for being human," implies that the development of writing and the dominant use of the left brain has taken away aspects of our original nature. I would have to disagree. If anything, it has allowed us to better understand one another, our place in the world, and the world in which we live. To be human has evolved over time, yes, but the same ideas behind the reasoning are the same, no matter the advancement of cognition.