What do you think is the essence of human personhood?

@kheng69 (156)
Malaysia
July 8, 2009 1:03pm CST
I've been thinking about this and was wondering what the rest of you think... What about humans makes us higher than animals for example? What makes us human? I think our Declaration of Independence defines a lot of us, as well as classical literature and writers. What do you think? Do you think any of our founding documents or classical writers help define us as humans? What is that quality, that "essence," that gives us human personhood?
3 responses
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
11 Jul 09
We are the same as animals only we have more capabilities. This reminds me of a friend who was trying to catch a squirrel who kept getting in his house. He tried everything Bait,Traps, even Nuts. After a while he just gave up. He told me that the squirrel was smarter than him. I guess in this case the animals won!
• United States
8 Jul 09
Hi, kheng! We are human because we are sentient beings. We are as we think we are. We do as we thank we do. And we think with care. That's human.
• United States
8 Jul 09
The old saying describes my essence pretty well, "I think, there for I am." I dont think the Declaration or any writers defines us as humans. They might define a nation or its laws or the thinking during a specific time period but not as a human being. Because not everyone agrees with said Declaration or even certain literature or writers. I think that quality in and of it self is a defining factor. That we can think for ourselves and have the ability to create, manipulate and mold.