In Mark Twain’s, The Damned Human Race, it is said that man is the lowest stage of evolutionary development. The human race hasn’t descended from lower animals, but has descended from higher animals. This idea may be strange to some, however it has a fair about of evidence and is quite compelling. Twain has actually convinced me to believe that man has come to this unpleasant conclusion and is nothing more. At this point, most people would ask “how is a chicken or anaconda at higher level than us? Shouldn’t humans be the more advanced?” The most appropriate response to these questions would be to look at the human moral sense and then decide. It is shown throughout Twain’s essay that “lower level animals” have a better sense of morality
It is truly fascinating that most humans are born in to this word with an intangible moral compass within them guiding them right from wrong. As humans mature so do their compasses through certain influences for instance culturally and emotionally. This idea of a moral compass correlates with the characters in Thomas McMahon’s novel McKay’s Bees. In chapter seven of the novel, Bruce Anders has a point of view that I do not agree with. With the aid of my textual evidence, I will prove why our opinions differ.
In “The Lowest Animal”, Mark Twain explains man’s morals and ethics as they compare to the “higher” animals, while in the poem “Ethics” by Linda Pastan, a simple situation is given to show what a person believes is right and wrong; both works reveal the theme hope. Mark Twain takes an interesting approach to explain human nature in his work, “The Lowest Animal”. For example,“[h]e is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it” (Twain 538). People understand that hurting another human being is wrong, whether that be physical or mental abuse. However they sometimes do it anyways for the satisfaction that the action provides.
Humans like to think of themselves as moral, upstanding beings who cognitively and rationally function, but often they are accused of “behaving like animals.” This rationale is a social construct that encompasses the behaviors of people found as unacceptable and shameful to the average population. Although it appears demeaning to compare animals in such a critical manner, there is a clear separation between man and animal that places humans much higher on the scale of civilization. As illustrated in “Water Dog God” by Brad Watson, the lack of civilized presence among people damages the ability for one to understand proper conduct, leading to animal-like behaviors such as the absence of relationship boundaries, limited emotional availability, and no concept of hygiene or social norms. Further, the short story emphasizes the affects of various boundaries that humans cross easily and often due to their distorted nature.
In this paper, I will focus on Bonnie Steinbock’s claim on whether or not we should give equal moral consideration to species outside our own species group. I will first determine what moral concern means, according to Peter singer, and explain how he views the human treatment of animals. I will then outline Steinbock’s argument against Singer’s position and explain how her criticism is part of a much broader issue: that is moral concern. I will finally make my argument against Steinbock as well as address any issues she could possibly raise against my argument. Peter Singer believed that all species, whether it be human or non-human, deserve equal consideration of interests and quality of life.
He continues to look at the “rights” of moral agents and that moral agents can only be if they themselves can make moral decisions. Animals cannot make moral
In human history, a number of oppressed groups have campaigned for equality, demanding for an expansion on the moral view of life, and to be treated fairly in the eye of consideration. This means that when the matter concerns this group, their voices are heard, and treated with value, and consideration. Where this equality is not determined by an assembly of facts like that group’s collective intelligence level, the colour of their skin, or the physical strength of their bodies. This is what Peter Singer brings up in his essay: “All Animals are Equal”, that non-human animals should have equal consideration with humans when matters concern them. Going into a specific set of non-human animals known as primates, I argue that primates should have some of the fundamental rights and equal consideration that are given to humans.
Human nature includes characteristics such as thinking, feeling and acting that are shared by all people. While human nature can lead us to be kind and loving, it can also cause us to be competitive, selfish and aggressive. “The Lowest Animal” by Mark Twain and “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” by Frederick Douglas both display the destructive side of human nature. In Mark Twain’s essay, animals are compared to humans in a number of experiments. He describes humans as cruel, greedy and foolish.
Twain argues that a trait the human species has gained that sets us apart from animals is “moral sense”. He states that this trait is where all of our unfavorable customs stem from, such as cruelty, greed,
“Indecency, vulgarity, obscenity (these are strictly confined to man); he invented them” (Twain). In this satirical essay Mark Twain discusses his ideas about mankind’s useless morel sense. He observes that humans are the only species to possess a moral sense, yet they use it to perform evil. He states after comparing animals to humans he is humiliated to conclude that man is the least evolved of all species. Despite his use of satire, false authority and hasty generalizations, his piece was successful.
Another example of metaphor in the novel is how Mr. Twain depicts the characters to enunciate his views of the bigotry of social norms pushing the reader in a sense to understand what he means. Huckleberry Finn with his innocence and Jim with a thirst for equality metaphorically portray the minorities, Pap the trope of humanity that are corrupted and deprived by those that are uncivilized. “You’re educated, too, they say—can read and write. You think you’re better’n your father, now, don’t you, because he can’t?
Throughout Utopia, Thomas More’s opinion regarding the relationship between humankind and animals was prevalent through Hythloday’s perspective. Particularly, this correlation was seen in instances surrounding war, and crimes. Although humans were seen as the superior, more intelligent animal, More believed that humans often reverted back to and were considered animals when they gave into their vices (More). For example, in Utopia, Hythloday brought up his view in regards to punishment for crimes.
Questions of morality are abstract and extremely touchy. They are subject to enduring debates regarding its origins, nature, and limits, with no possibility of a consensus. Although the theories on morality often pursue diverse angles, among the most interesting ones that have come up in recent times revolve around the question whether human beings are born with an innate moral sense. Some scholars hold the view that humans are born with an inherent sense of morality while others believe the opposite that humans are not born with an innate moral sense holds true. By using Steven Pinker’s
“These experiments convinced me that there is a difference between man and the higher animals: he is avaricious and miserly; they are not.” This quote by Mark Twain portrays his stance on the idea of mankind’s feeling of superiority over other species. Although some people believe mankind is superior on Earth, the reality is the human species is the lowest species due to the fact that we are the only species to experience greed and stinginess. Humans have the urge to always collect more, more of anything, even if it is more than necessary. “ I was aware that many men who have accumulated more millions of money than they can ever use have shown ribid hunger for more, and have not scruple to cheat the ignorant and the helpless out of their poor servings in order to partially appease that appetite.
Thesis Statement: Origin of Morality Outline A.Universal Ethics 1.Karl Barth, The Command of God 2.Thomas Aquinas, The Natural Law 3.Thomas Hobbes, Natural Law and Natural Right 4.Immanuel Kant, The Categorical Imperative B.Morality and Practical Reason 1.Practical Reason a.Practical Reason and Practical Reasons C.Evolution of Morality 1.What makes Moral Creatures Moral 2.Explaining the Nature of Moral Judgments F. Answering Questions 1. What is the origin of Morality: Religion or Philosophy? 2. What does religion say about morality?
Humans are complex creatures. Understanding human nature is difficult, but the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding helps to show what true human nature looks like. Humans are inherently evil, but that evil is hidden by societal dictates. Throughout the novel, the human societal mask is stripped away and true human nature can be seen. Society enforces rules and trends that people feel they must follow.