Humans are sophisticated organisms that are part of the animal kingdom.

Many ask,

what makes us human? To be human is to have a complex spoken language, understand symbols

and their values, as well as being bipedalist. These three factors distinguish humans from even

their closest primate relative. Modern humans have only been around for 200,000 years which is

a small portation for what time other organisms have been around, but humans have

distinguished themselves to be the superior organisms.

First off, complex spoken language is the largest factor separating humans from other

organisms. Language provides a path for humans to socialize and develop inventions. By doing

this humans have further advance the species by sharing and developing ideas. Language also

provides individual identities. Humans can interact on a personal base with other humans

because all humans have their identity from their language. Spoken language provides humans

with groups depending on ethnicity and location which can vary whereas most animals can not

do the same. Spoken language is a large benefactor to human development and organization.

Continuing on, symbols have defined humans for a long period of time. Symbols are

signs of art that have been seen for a long time that show signs of intelligence. These symbols

seen in artifacts are signs that humans communicate and understand symbols. Associating

objects with symbols is also a distinguishable characteristic as humans attribute an action to

different things. Such as rocks as tools. Jewellery, ornaments have been used by ancestors as

symbols of hierarchy. This helped humans judge power in societies. All in symbols control

power, tool and social processes.

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 Moving on, bipedalism is a factor that physically distinguishes humans from other

primates. Walking on two legs distinguishes humans from other primates as they will either walk

on all fours, or use their arms as a swinging mechanism. Bipedalism exposes humans to less

sunlight and therefore they can travel in the wild much longer than other primates. Humans can

also use their hands for other tasks as they are free comparing to other primates who use their

hands to help walk. To sum up bipedalism constricts other primates.

In conclusion, to be human is to have a complex spoken language, understand symbols

and their values, as well as being bipedalist. These three factors define humans, and separate

them from other primates. Without these three factors, humans would simply be like any other

primate, but we are not. Humans are much more than other primates.

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