What makes us human?

[cjohns105]

In many parts of the book we find Steven purposefully distancing himself from different aspects of his life before. At other times, the way he sees the world and the situations he encounters in it, seem to change dramatically in a short period of time without a conscious effort on his part.

What do you think the author is trying to say about what makes us human? Are the changes Steven goes through meant to aid him, or make a point to the reader? What do you think makes us human?

[Wasif Ahmed]

In many parts of the book we find Steven purposefully distancing himself from different aspects of his life before. At other times, the way he sees the world and the situations he encounters in it, seem to change dramatically in a short period of time without a conscious effort on his part.

What do you think the author is trying to say about what makes us human? Are the changes Steven goes through meant to aid him, or make a point to the reader? What do you think makes us human?

Personally, I believe that our capacity to think does. Even immortals are humans. For example- all religions believe in paradise. In paradise, humans will be there but they shall be immortal.

[Donnavila Marie01]

What makes us human is our emotional aspect. The feeling of love and hate, fear and courage and most importantly, our capability of hoping. These emotions connect us with other humans.

[Insightsintobooks]

I think that our emotions and our ability to think logically are what make us human.

[Wasif Ahmed]

What makes us human is our emotional aspect. The feeling of love and hate, fear and courage and most importantly, our capability of hoping. These emotions connect us with other humans.

Yes. I forgot to mention emotions but they also play a role in defining that we are humans. ?

[MarisaRose]

I agree with a lot of what has been said above. However, I think one of the most important qualities that make us human is our ability to choose. Many times our choices are guided by our emotions, but it is important to realize being human allows us to create the life we live through our choices.

[Joy Boudreau]

Well, not saying anything new here - what makes us human (as opposed to animals??) is emotion and intellect. What makes us human (as opposed to Godlike?) is mortality =D Oh, and lack of omniscience and omnipresence, and stuff like that LOL!

[gali]

I agree with the above. I think our compassion makes us human as well as our ability to imagine things that do not exist.

[Jasmine M Wardiya]

I am inclined to say emotions but not so much intellect/thinking logically and choice. A computer can do the latter two as well, to a degree. There are limitations of course, but as we keep on pushing the limitations to create computers and programmes and robots and things with more and more capabilities, then will one day we say there's no difference between them and humans? Then again, emotional data can be inputted into a robot as well. It's not the same, though. Trying to find the right words to describe the difference though... And then the difference between a human and, say, the other species of Star Wars. Or elves and dwarfs and hobbits in LOTR. They're physical differences, largely. They all feel and think and choose and live and die... Maybe we're only humans because that's what we decide to call ourselves human, and what it'll take for Steven to not be human is his own absolute rejection of his humanity.

[Gravy]

I believe it's the ability to consciously choose to put others before ourselves.

[MarisaRose]

I am inclined to say emotions but not so much intellect/thinking logically and choice. A computer can do the latter two as well, to a degree. There are limitations of course, but as we keep on pushing the limitations to create computers and programmes and robots and things with more and more capabilities, then will one day we say there's no difference between them and humans? Then again, emotional data can be inputted into a robot as well. It's not the same, though. Trying to find the right words to describe the difference though... And then the difference between a human and, say, the other species of Star Wars. Or elves and dwarfs and hobbits in LOTR. They're physical differences, largely. They all feel and think and choose and live and die... Maybe we're only humans because that's what we decide to call ourselves human, and what it'll take for Steven to not be human is his own absolute rejection of his humanity.

Interesting response! I definitely think the idea of inputing emotional data into a robot is incredibly scary. But I like what you said about what makes us different from other species such as those in Star Wars or LOTR. But in reality, I wonder if there are other species out there like humans? Is it realistic to think there are other species on other planets that also have the same abilities as us? Or will we, someday, merely find that other organisms on other planets do not have the same capacity to feel and think and choose as we do?

I also like your point about Steven! We will have to see, in future books, if he does reject his humanity absolutely. I think over time, as an immortal, constantly seeing those you are close with leave the Earth, it is definitely a possibility.

[+++---]

Our rationality and power of adaptation these two things makes us human .

[Catherine Hsu]

Emotions and our ability to act according to those. Feelings like empathy and compassion, while I admit are not exclusive to humans, are spread through our ability to communicate collectively.

[Wasif Ahmed]

I am inclined to say emotions but not so much intellect/thinking logically and choice. A computer can do the latter two as well, to a degree. There are limitations of course, but as we keep on pushing the limitations to create computers and programmes and robots and things with more and more capabilities, then will one day we say there's no difference between them and humans? Then again, emotional data can be inputted into a robot as well. It's not the same, though. Trying to find the right words to describe the difference though... And then the difference between a human and, say, the other species of Star Wars. Or elves and dwarfs and hobbits in LOTR. They're physical differences, largely. They all feel and think and choose and live and die... Maybe we're only humans because that's what we decide to call ourselves human, and what it'll take for Steven to not be human is his own absolute rejection of his humanity.

Interesting response! Although AI isn't probably due in our lifetime. Well then, maybe its our biological appearance that makes us human. ?

[Heidi M Simone]

I also agree with a lot that has been said - the ability to think, feel, adapt, and make choices makes us humans.