[betty boop]

Physically, man is not tremendously different from a large number of animals... Yet is physicallness enough to define man?

Apparently not, djf. What decisively separates man from the rest of the animal kingdom is that man, unlike other animals, is free to choose the pattern of his life. Animals can only execute their instinctual "program": A man may "order himself," while the animal is ordered solely by instinct. There are, of course, other differences. But I think this one is key to understanding the vast chasm that separates the human from the animal.

[gore3000]

Apparently not, djf. What decisively separates man from the rest of the animal kingdom is that man, unlike other animals, is free to choose the pattern of his life.

Yes, the freedom to choose is certainly one of the most important parts of being man. However, I think there are also a few others that need to be considered - our knowledge that death comes to us all is certainly something which influences our lives in many ways, as well as our thoughts and our choices. I also think that man is social in nature, much more so than any other creature and in many more important ways.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for the ping to your discussion with djf!

What decisively separates man from the rest of the animal kingdom is that man, unlike other animals, is free to choose the pattern of his life.

Indeed. Man is much more aware of himself, everything around him and possibilities. He thinks in abstractions. Moreover - above any creature known to me, man is willful.