DEFINING WHAT IS IT TO BE HUMAN: WHAT DO OTHER PEOPLE SAY? C.S. Lewis described his Law of Human Nature as a Law of Humanity. He suggests that knowing right and wrong is a core characteristic of being...

Humanity Lab


DEFINING WHAT IS IT TO BE HUMAN: WHAT DO OTHER PEOPLE SAY? C.S. Lewis described his Law of Human Nature as a Law of Humanity. He suggests that knowing right and wrong is a core characteristic of being human, but not a characteristic of other living things. Lewis is only one person who has sought to identify the nature of human uniqueness. In fact, this pursuit is the foundation of the humanities and central to many liberal arts disciplines. Why are we doing this lab? 1. To introduce you to the question: “What is it to be Human?” 2. To become aware of how different disciplines approach this question. Your assignment: Using the internet, find definitions for what it is to be human that fall into the following categories: · Anthropological · Legal · Biological · Theological 1. For each of the four categories, submit one definition and its source (including the website address). It’s ok to directly quote the definition. NOTE: The definition is for “human” not a definition of the discipline (it should not start “the study of”) or how the discipline relates to humans. If your definition for anthropological is “how humans relate to each other” that’s no good – find a definition of “human” itself from the field. 2. Based on each definition, explain the consequences and significance of being human for us: a. As individuals, b. Collectively as a group, and c. For planet Earth. For example, if humans are defined as the “rational animal” a la Aristotle, a consequence for us as individuals might be that we can use logic as a way to synthesize our observations and predict what will happen in a novel situation. A consequence collectively might be moral nihilism in that this definition precludes any sort of moral value as a significant characteristic. A consequence for planet Earth might be that we can use logic to develop technology that both damages (e.g., cars) and restores (e.g., catalytic converters) the Earth. 3. Describe how these definitions are in agreement or disagreement with each other. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between each definition. 4. Based on your research into these four categories of definitions, do you think the similarities and differences are due to epistemology/data or culture/worldview? Why? CBIO101Lab: Humanity1 p.