THE UNIQUE OF HUMAN

Human uniqueness is an attribute often used in discussions about the

evolution of biological traits found in humans (Gazzaniga 2008). Though useful in
terms of generating falsifiable hypotheses , the concept has frequently created
misunderstandings, in particular since many claims of human uniqueness were not
substantiated by an appropriately scoped search for the trait in question across a
wider range of species. Furthermore, even in the presence of potential counter
examples, judgments whether a given trait qualifies as uniquely human hinge upon
precise definitions of the terms, which are often lacking. Some of the past and
present candidate uniquenesses include art , brain size , brain folding , concealed
ovulation , cooking , culture , emotions , gesture , humour , language , morality ,
music , the obstetric dilemma , domestication of plants and animals, fine-tuned
respiration control , spirituality , theory of mind , tool use , and transpiration.
Uniqueness can also be discussed within circumscribed taxonomic units:
Humans may be unique amongst primates in terms of the ability for vocal learning
but songbirds and some other non-primate animals also possess this trait. However,
uniqueness in the ecological sense of occupying a specific ecological niche is
inherent in most non-molecular definitions of the term species : koalas , for
instance, are widely regarded as unique because of the very strong dependence of
their diet upon the leaves of just one plant, eucalyptus.

a. Definition of Human
Noun
1. A member of the genus Homo and especially of the species H. sapiens.
2. A person

Adjective
1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of humans: the course of human
events.
2. Having or showing those positive aspects of nature and character
regarded as distinguishing humans from other animals: an act of human
kindness.
3. Subject to or indicative of the weaknesses, imperfections, and fragility
associated with humans: a mistake that shows he's only human.
4. Having the form of a human.
5. Made up of humans.
 Human Definitions Biologically, classified as Homo Sapiens Human, a
primate species of mammal group that has high rate capability of the brain. Human
beings are spiritual are those who use the concept of a varied life in which, in
religion, understood in relation to divine power or living things.
In a myth, Humans are often compared with other races. In cultural
anthropology, man is described based on the use of language, their organization in a
plural society and technological development, as well as on their ability to form a
group and institutions to support and help each other.
In biology, the human is defined as the hominids of the species Homo
sapiens. The only remaining subspecies of Homo sapiens is Homo sapiens sapiens.
They are usually regarded as the only species that can survive in the genus Homo.
Sometimes now referred to as Definition of Human, originated from a
summary essay of Kenneth Burke (1897-1993) which he included in his 1966 work,
Language as Symbolic Action. Burke's work in communication has spanned many
fields and focuses primarily on rhetoric. Perhaps he is best known for his theory of
Dramatism, wherein he characterizes life to not just reflect or be like a drama but
rather that life is drama.

Burke's definition of man states: "Man is the symbol-using (symbol-making,

symbol-misusing) animal, inventor of the negative (or moralized by the negative),
separated from his natural condition by instruments of his own making, goaded by
the spirit of hierarchy (or moved by the sense of order), and rotten with perfection".
Essentially, Burke's definition maintains that man is distinct from other creatures by
the virtue of his use of symbols to communicate, his understanding of negation, his
separation from nature by his own techniques, his existence in differing social
structures, and his goal to become better than he presently is.
Symbol-Using Animal
Burke distinguishes man from other animals by drawing an analogy between
man and birds. He argues that unlike birds, which cannot use symbols to
communicate, man is able to use language towards pragmatic ends. To illustrate this
point, Burke recalls seeing a bird trapped inside a college classroom. The windows
were open, but the bird kept flying upwards to the ceiling, rather than through the
window. If the bird could use symbols to communicate then one could simply
inform the bird of the open windows and it could fly out to freedom. Its natural
instinct to fly up coupled by its inability to use symbols, however, prevents its
escape. Burke, also argues that not only does man use symbols, but concedes that
man makes and misuses symbols as well.
Condensation
One aspect of symbols that Burke points out in his discussion of Sigmund
Freud's work is condensation. This explains man's ability to condense symbols into
categories that can be understood by others to include a variety of other symbols.
The example he gives is using the word furniture to refer to chairs, tables, etc.
Burke's defining of man in these terms leads to man's quest for identity and
social belonging.[5] Burke sees all human action as infused with symbols. These
symbols are used to help create our sense of who we are and where we fit. In order
to accomplish these, man seeks for differences and commonalities respectively.
Separated from his natural condition by instruments of his own making
In this section of Burke's definition he describes man's natural state as being
that of basic needs and appetites. However, because of his tools and language, he
has taken on a nature completely different that that of his original state. He cites an
example of a day when the electricity of New York City went out and how unnatural
it seemed for the streets to be filled with darkness; darkness being a state of man's
first nature. However, because of man's tools, a state of lighted streets has become
natural. One major example of man's instruments is exemplified in technology.
Technology has accomplished the task of separating man from nature.
Goaded by the spirit of hierarchy
This portion of Burke's description seeks to define man as being drawn to
order and status. He points to positions in society that imply this fact. One such
example he draws upon is the division of labor that exists in society. Others are
titles of nobility and peasantry.
Modern-day applications
Feminist scholarship has shown a use of Burke's definition as a framework
by which a definition for woman can be derived. Their definition is as follows:
"Woman is the symbol-receiving animal, inventor of nothing, submerged in her
natural conditions by instruments of man's making, goaded at the bottom of
hierarchy, and rotten by perfection". This particular definition clearly conveys a
perception that views man as the suppressor of woman and the cause for her
restrained condition.
One notable scholar, Celeste Condit, has written in an effort to modernize
Burke's works and his "definition of man" in particular by calling for a Post-Burkean
philosophy that takes Burke's ideas and transports them into what she calls the new
scene, or modern day. She calls particularly for a restructuring each part of Burke's
definition into terms that are founded on but surpass radical feminist ideologies as
seen above. Condit defines people as those who play with symbols, invent the
negative and possible morality, changed from nature by tools that men and woman
have collectively made, struggling for equality, and at times rotten and perfect.
Condit seeks to transform Burke's emphases of race and class into gender and
culture.

Reference:

· ^ Miller, K. Communication theories: Perspective, processes and contexts (New York: McGraw Hill,
2005), p. 96

· ^ Burke, K. (1966). Language as symbolic action. Berkley & Los Angeles: University of California
Press, p.7

In the Islamic view, man is defined as a creature, mukalaf, mukaram,

mukhaiyar, and mujzak. Humans are creatures that have natural values and nature
insaniah, like dha'if 'weak' (an-Nisaa ': 28), jahula' stupid '(al-Ahzab: 72), Faqir'
dependency or require '(Faathir: 15), kafuuro 'is to deny pleasure' (al-Israa ': 67),
praise (al-Insaan: 3), and fujur and taqwa (ash-Shams: 8).
Pengertian Manusia

Definisi Manusia Secara biologis, Manusia diklasifikasikan sebagai Homo Sapiens ,

sebuah spesies primata dari golongan mamalia yang dilengkapi otak
berkemampuan tinggi. Manusia secara kerohanian merupakan Mereka yang
menggunakan konsep jiwa yang bervariasi di mana, dalam agama, dimengerti
dalam hubungannya dengan kekuatan ketuhanan atau makhluk hidup.

Dalam sebuah mitos, Manusia seringkali dibandingkan dengan ras lain. Dalam
antropologi kebudayaan, Manusia dijelaskan berdasarkan penggunaan bahasanya,
organisasi mereka di masyarakat majemuk serta perkembangan teknologinya,
serta berdasarkan kemampuan mereka membentuk sebuah kelompok dan
lembaga untuk dukungan satu sama lain serta pertolongan.

Secara biologi, manusia diartikan sebagai hominid dari spesies Homo sapiens. Satu-
satunya subspesies yang tersisa dari Homo Sapiens ini adalah Homo sapiens
sapiens. Mereka biasanya dianggap sebagai satu-satunya spesies yang dapat
bertahan hidup dalam genus Homo.

Dalam Pandangan Agama Islam, Manusia didefinisikan sebagai makhluk, mukalaf,

mukaram,
mukhaiyar, dan mujzak. Manusia merupakan makhluk yang memiliki nilai-nilai fitri
dan sifat insaniah, seperti dha’if ‘lemah’ (an-Nisaa’: 28), jahula ‘bodoh’ (al-
Ahzab:72), faqir ‘ketergantungan atau memerlukan’ (Faathir: 15), kafuuro ‘sangat
mengingkari nikmat’ (al-Israa’: 67), syukur (al-Insaan:3), serta fujur dan taqwa
(asy-Syams: 8).

Sumber:
http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manusia
http://zanikhan.multiply.com/