Being Human

In his recent Encyclical Fides et Ratio the Pope argues that all people seek a 'philosophy of life' and can learn from the treasury of philosophical wisdom. In this series we explore various items from that treasury.

Animal life is a wonderful way of being alive: animals perceive their environment, can move at will, and have a certain nobility. But to be human is to be an animal of a unique sort. Humans are free and intelligent creatures whom God caused to emerge from his animal creation. Humans uniquely resemble God in their ability to act and to know: to choose responsibly and reflect wisely.

It's sometimes said there is no essential difference between us and other animals. This isn't true. No other animals make moral judgements, reflect on their past or futures, can choose to do what they don't want to do, exercise imagination, ponder mysteries, relate as persons, fall in love etc. Chimpanzees may manipulate symbols and protect their young, but they do not have arguments, a sense of humour, good taste, or experience moral dilemmas. Nevertheless, Christ, who dignified human nature, would have deplored animal cruelty and the Church condemns animal exploitation.