"Primates" is a two syllable series of sounds used to refer to a number of animals that share some characteristics according to criteria assigned to that designation. Because of a belief that human beings are an advanced form of that classification of animals, the term is applied to human beings.
By the human beings who believe they are descended from "primates".
"Primates" is a two syllable series of sounds used to refer to a number of animals that share some characteristics according to criteria assigned to that designation.
Mostly correct, but you make it sound more arbitrary than it is. The criteria/characteristics are determined by noting that certain groups of animals share a constellation of unique traits, for which there is no overlap with animals of other types. These nested groupings of traits are objective and striking.
Because of a belief that human beings are an advanced form of that classification of animals, the term is applied to human beings. By the human beings who believe they are descended from "primates".
Incorrect. Try to learn some science before you attempt to pontificate about it.
The animal group "primates" was recognized long before anyone had an inkling that any animals descended from any other. Here's a page from Linnaeus's classic book on taxonomy, published about 100 years before Darwin's seminal work. It even pre-dates the Declaration of Independence.
Even though his classifications were based in no way on any notion of evolution, Linnaeus still placed mankind ("Homo diurnus" in his terminology) within the Primate group, as well as the Orangutan (which you can see mentioned on the same page above), and the other apes (on following pages).
In fact, not only was man first put into the Primate group NOT by an evolutionist (there would be no evolutionists for another 100 years), but by a creationist -- as Linnaeus himself wrote in the preface to his book, "Creationis telluris est gloria Dei ex opere Naturae per Hominem solum" ("The Earth's creation is the glory of God, as seen from the works of Nature by Man alone.")
Linnaeus recognized the reality of an animal group he named primates because of the clear shared characteristics among the apes and humans, including:
Five fully-developed fingers and five fully-developed toes.And so on. Biochemically (not known to Linnaeus), primates are uniquely susceptible to AIDS, and are mortally allergic to the toxin of the male funnel web spider of Australia (which is deadly to all primates, but only dangerous to primates), and unlike almost all other mammals, primates cannot produce vitamin-C naturally and must obtain it from their diet.Toes are prehensile and hands can grasp with dexterity.
Only two lactal nipples, located on the chest as opposed to your abdomen -- which males also have.
Pendulous penis.
Well-developed ceacum or appendix, unlike all other mammals.
Fangs and some other varied dentition indicative of primates exclusively.
Fur thin and relatively sparse over most of the body.
Claws reduced to flat chitinous fingernails.
Fingers themselves have distinctive print patterns.
Increased reliance on vision: reduced noses, snouts (smaller, flattened), loss of vibrissae (whiskers), and relatively small, hairless ears.
One upper limb bone, two lower limb bones -- many mammalian orders have lost various bones, especially fusing of the two lower limb bones.
Expansion and elaboration of the brain, especially of the cerebral cortex.
Binocular color vision, used as primary sense. Skull contains post-orbital bars for protection of eyes.
Great facial mobility and vocal repertoire.
Ability to walk on hind limbs and grasp with front limbs.
Reduced litter size -- usually just one.
Primates -- including humans -- share *all* these traits. And most are unique to primates and are found in no other type of animal. This is why humans are clearly, and objectively, primates. Just as we are clearly and objectively members of the larger broader classification groups of eutherians (placental mammals), mammals, synapsids, tetrapods, vertebrates, chordates, animals, and eukaryotes.
Just as no one would sensibly object to noting that humans are vertebrates (animals with backbones and spinal cords), or mammals (warm-blooded furred animals which produce milk to feed their young), no one should sensibly object to the observation that humans are clearly primates.