Introduction
A variety of creatures have populated the Earth for many years. Society, which is made up of human beings (HBs), believes that HBs represent the superior living entity and are considered people who deserve special treatment. What makes someone a person is the ability to breathe, feel, and think, and the display of such capacities is not universal but rather unique to every mortal.
Distinguishing Between Humans and Persons
An individual is not simply any living creature but a human being. I disagree with the position implied by PCMechanic (2006) because if society can argue about HBs being more than meat, then HBs must also admit that animals are incomparable to how they are typically perceived.
Personal Opinion Regarding Readings
Cartesian Dualism
Moreover, the idea of Cartesian Dualism (CD) of animals being inferior is disagreeable since there is evidence disproving such a notion (Plumwood, 1993). In particular, CD seems mistaken because it overlooks some basic scientific principles (Taylor, 1986; “Descartes’ mind,” n.d.; “Several theories,” n.d.). It does not account for the similarities between humans and animals in feeling various emotions, from pleasure to anxiety, and the thinking process behind caring for a loved one (Taylor, 1986).
Soul and Choosing Health
I agree with Berry (n.d. b), suggesting that all creatures are similar and only differ from machines because of the former’s complexity. I also agree with Berry (n.d. a), stating that living beings have diverse ways of expressing their inner processes, just as HBs demonstrate their emotions in different ways. Because of their similarities with other creatures, HBs are not the only ones who can be considered human.
Conclusion
What makes someone a person is the ability to breathe, have emotions, and think. CD lacks consideration of scientific principles known to modern society that reveal resemblances between HBs and other creatures, like animals. HBs are more than simply meat; they are all living creatures. Therefore, a human is not the only person on Earth; just because humans do not fully understand other creatures’ ways of expression does not make them superior. An individual, whether an HB or an animal, must be treated fairly and have the right to be unique and respected.
References
Berry, T. (n.d. a). Soul [Lecture notes].
Berry, W. (n.d. b). Choosing health [Lecture notes].
Descartes’ mind-body problem – Cartoon introduction [PDF document]. (n.d.).
PCMechanic. (2006). They’re made out of meat [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Plumwood, V. (1993). Feminism and the mastery of nature. Routledge.
Several theories of what makes up a person. [Lecture notes]. (n.d.).
Taylor, P. W. (1986). Respect for nature: A theory of environmental ethics. Princeton University Press.