The question of what makes us human is a complex one, and there are many different answers depending on who you ask. Here are some of the key features that are often cited:
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Bipedalism: Walking on two legs is a defining characteristic of humans, and it allowed us to free up our hands for other tasks.
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Language: Humans are the only species on Earth with complex language, which allows us to communicate abstract ideas and transmit knowledge across generations.
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Tool making: Humans have been making and using tools for millions of years, and this ability has allowed us to adapt to a wide range of environments.
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Forethought: Humans have the unique power of forethought, which allows us to imagine the future in many possible iterations and then to plan and act accordingly.
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Self-awareness: Humans are aware of their own existence and can reflect on their feelings and judgments, which results in an emotional response.
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Curiosity: Humans have an innate curiosity that drives us to explore and understand the world around us.
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Compassion: Humans have the capacity for substantial levels of compassion, which is perhaps easiest to see in the charity sector where people work tirelessly to fund improvement, offer hope, and provide mechanisms to end all manner of misery, all for the benefit of others.
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Cognitive abilities: Humans possess the capacity for mathematics, invention, mechanical adaptation, music, and philosophical musings, among other things.
Its worth noting that there is no one answer to this question, and different people may have different opinions on what makes us human. However, these are some of the key features that are often cited as defining characteristics of our species.
