4 ms·
Great comment. I'm not particularly gung ho about humanity as identity. That concept has very often been used as a carrier of more or less conscious prejudices
by mbrock 13y ago
Great comment.
I'm not particularly gung ho about humanity as identity. That concept has very often been used as a carrier of more or less conscious prejudices and ideals.
Some philosophers (Agamben among others) make the case that humanity traditionally defines itself as the animal which goes beyond animality. This means that humanity is not a simple essence, but a process of separation and an attempt at transcendence. Which is obviously kind of messy and complex.
Plus, what's the reason to identify as human rather than mammal, animal, or simply life?
- gbog 13y agoYes, this differentiation between humans and other animal is kind of axiomatic here, but I fear that if you remove it the consequences are too dangerous. I believe that exploiting crops or cows in a field, and killing them, is morally acceptable, while exploiting fellow humans in a factory is not.