As far as you know. Just because they communicate in a manner we don't understand doesn't mean they can't talk.TheNamlessGuy said:
Poll: "What are you people, animals?!"
- Thread starter pelopelopelo
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All humans are animals. We were originally primates but then we evolved into an advanced species.
You can say "I aint no monkey!" but it's true. We are all technically monkeys.
You can say "I aint no monkey!" but it's true. We are all technically monkeys.
I think this really depends on just how you define "communicating" and "talking."Kiba Bloodfang said:
Communication is a general term for any kind of exchange of ideas or thoughts by any means, whether it be sounds, signs, or writing. Talking is specifically communication via "speech," speech being oral communication. Dolphins make their sounds via nasal air-sacks located just below the blowhole.
So, technically speaking, dolphins do not "talk" they "communicate." And it makes sense too, I mean would you really consider the clicks of a telegraph to be the same as talking? And the sounds dolphins make aren't even really structured like a language as complicated as ours. They make sounds that can designate certain things, like danger, or happiness, or wanting to mate or whatever.
But with their sounds alone, they can't communicate things like "Oh you look radiant today." They might have a sound for a general expression of happiness or delight at seeing another dolphin, but otherwise I don't think their system of communication can be considered "talking" or "speech," physically or figuratively.
Yeah, that was kind of my point... But I admit there are things that no other animal does or has. I separate animals from humans, but ot humans from animals (if you get that somewhat strangeled logic...)
Of course we are animals. We are the animal with most technology and intelligence enough to invent. In all other departments we are outperformed by other animals. We are not very fast or strong. We have a very bad eyesight, sense of smell and hearing. We are not the longest living animal, we have no natural weapons or defenses.
All in all were it not for our one specialisation (intelligence) we would have died out a long time ago.
All in all were it not for our one specialisation (intelligence) we would have died out a long time ago.
Primates, you mean. We don't have tails. We are not monkeys.BloodyThoughts said:
We're closest related to apes, specifically great apes. Along with gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos.
Your dinosaur example is a rather flawed one. Dinosaur isn't a real biological term, it's not a proper classification. Unlike animal, which is a proper classification. And we as a species have all the biological properties of an animal; we're multicellular, eukaryotic, we lack rigid cell walls, we're motile and digest food in an internal chamber.TheNamlessGuy said:
That's a rough sketch (some exceptions exist, look them up at your own leisure) of what an animal is. There's nothing more to it, and it's quite obvious that we have those characterises and are thus classified as animals.
On to your language argument, which is also rather flawed. Almost all animals communicate. Some do it with sound, some do it with chemicals or motions, you name it. Groundhogs, birds, dogs, they all talk to each other, it's just that we don't speak their language. You could just say that our language is more complex than most other languages, although some research suggests that whale songs are more complex than our language. Here [http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8886--whale-song-reveals-sophisticated-language-skills.html] is a little article about it, you might find it interesting.
Now all this doesn't mean that we don't have characteristics that set us apart from other animals. Heck, that speaks for itself from a biological standpoint. Every species has something that sets it apart as just that, a separate species, humans included. But that doesn't mean that we're not animals.
The animal kingdom is just a very broad group of creatures to whom we obviously belong. It doesn't downplay any of the characteristics that make us special as a species, that's something a lot of people forget.
Yes.
We need to eat to get energy like animals
We need to consume water like animals
And we are still made up of organic matter and cells like animals
the only difference (that I see) between us and the other organisms of the planet is our ability learn faster to adapt to environments faster.
EDIT: Oh and our more complicated vocal chords
We need to eat to get energy like animals
We need to consume water like animals
And we are still made up of organic matter and cells like animals
the only difference (that I see) between us and the other organisms of the planet is our ability learn faster to adapt to environments faster.
EDIT: Oh and our more complicated vocal chords
So what is the difference between people and animals?JWAN said:
"sentience - The state or quality of being sentient; possession of consciousness or sensory awareness"Snowalker said:
I'd say most animals have consciousness and sensory awareness.