Humans are just one of the many animal species on this planet.

Why do humans have such unique needs, skills and behaviors?

- Need to farm, & cook / process food before eating
– Need to wear clothing, and need for extensive shelter from the elements
– Multitude of languages
– Ability to pass on knowledge from generation to generation (rather than just passing on the beneficial genes)
– similarly a large component of our knowledge and behaviour being determined by what we learn and experience, rather than what we are born with
– Self-awareness (rare though not exclusive to humans I guess)
– Ability to use tools (rare again)
– Ability for abstract thinking, concepts, scientific theories, experimentation

Topics: science, biology, philosophy, anthropology, human behavior