Do we have the right to consider human beings as more valuable than other life forms?

Ven

All life forms are necessary to maintain the balance of life on earth. You can't eliminate one because it's less important. Every life form has it's place in the food chain. Without it, we would cease to exist. Every life form is equally as valuable as humans in that respect. I don't mean choose a beetle over a human life, I am speaking about the overall perspective in general.

Answerer

No, But we do have a right to look out for our own survival. I disagree with hunting and such, but might makes right in the laws in the jungle. It might not be the politically correct definition, but the animals know these laws well, and they do what they can do avoid conflict. If they're caught, nothing can save them. They know it instinctively from birth. Although, people have a keen eye for criticism of other humans and their endeavors and perhaps arrogance, when it comes to animals, not to mention being one themselves as humans are in the Animal Kingdom, If it truly wasn't meant to be it wouldn't be. Right and Wrong are human concepts. Universally, anything is acceptable, via our insignificance to the otherall function of the universe.

Da Ben Dan

No, in fact I'm afraid that we may be the species that actually destroys this planet...what value is a species that is not only capable of doing that but wantonly does it?

Duax

Certainly human beings have the right to value themselves more valuable than other life forms. But maybe not all human beings feel the same way and they have just as much right to feel that way too.

zen

No, we do not!

Do we want to end up the only remaining life-form on an empty desert of a planet?

With the authority that results from our tecnological power and intelligence comes a huge, never-ending responsibility!

wild-man of Borneo

All living things is our creator's universal gifts of life vital for our own survival on planet earth.
Not for doing things at own whims and fancy with self destruction of other life form on planet earth.

moez k

Yes, the only and very most important thing, that differentiates and stands us out to be more valuable, is our BRAIN our INTELLECT.

poo

No because every living thing life is valuable to him! so when God made everything he made us all with feeling, however no life should be more important then any other. and as the old saying goes we the people have the freedom of speech no we don't, if a cop say shut up are you will go to jail that should tell us something right there. but if you tell a bird the same he's going to keep on doing what he's doing!!!!!! think about it. GOD said we shall not kill.

TiM

Of course. God gave us dominion over every living thing on earth and in the sea and sky.

liv4tennis92

We Are the smartest aminals on the planent, but there is no need to judge one's value. we are not immortal or stronger, or better than any other species, we live and die, we are all organisms, this question is really depressing to me and makes me think.

Mike Cameron

scary shari

Absolutely NOT! If anything, humans are LESS valuable than other life forms. We humans have, unfortunately, done more things to DAMAGE this planet, and the lifeforms on it, than any other living thing ever has!! :( We are truly SHAMEFUL caretakers.

#Reistlehr-

The only reason we think we have the right, is because we consider ourselves greater than other species. In actuality, everything can think, only, we find ourselves to be the most advanced along the lines of evolution. Because of that, we think we have that right.

If we think like that, then every other species does too.

You are loved

Depending on what the other life forms are, I know celestial forms are above humans, also more valuable, in the sense of being flawless.

Other than that, other forms depending on their roots and purpose, would be valuable accordingly.
(I haven't read your web)

Scandinavian Rose

Very interesting point. Humans are valuable, and given in the name of abortions. Humans should have more value over animals, but and yet animal abuse is not excuse. Those are God's creatures/creations. All things created by God should be respected.

Frogface53

Perhaps we are the highest form of life on earth, certainly we are the only species with free will, and the ability to create, communicate, and live by more than sheer instinct.

As to whether we are more valuable life form would depend on the parameters of where this species lives. Taking the entire universe into consideration it is difficult to imagine that we are alone. Yet even if the universe is full of cognitive, intelligent species, who decided which is more valuable.

At some point in time, mankind and other species in the universe must come to understand that only through peaceful co-operation will there be o more discussion as to whom is more valued.

Curiosa

I dont think so. Without animals we would not be the same and without humans animals would not be the same. I think we are equal in value. =) Besides, some people might argue that we know more than animals but we could learn a thing or two from them.

FÃ¶rtyTwÃ¶

The question posed is in itself a quandry. The right to do anything or nothing is granted by Humans. When other sentient beings are found, well a commitee could be formed, or a war fought over the right to make rights.
As humans are the only form of beings that seem to have an idea of right and wrong, as it applies to a moment in time, then humans are the deciding factor in this. As a human I do not understand all or much of what rights are applied to me as I oft times have no need of these rights and rarely if ever will be allowed to enact any rights that may or may not apply.
Ask Deep Thought, it knows everything.

Iridium190

This is an asinine question.

If you're going to ask this question, then start by discussing what a "right" means, and where it comes from.

Until you define these terms, the other question is stupid.

redrobin

no we dont have the right, but we do out of arrogance and ignorance and most religions are to blame for this

colin.christie

The only thing that marks humans as superior to other animals is our ability to use tools, so creating out own habitats and transport systems. Unfortunately, we also use this ability to make weapons, and not just for defence.

We are responsible for so much destruction and loss of life on this planet. Do we have the right to sit in judgement of other life forms? No, definitely not.

WendyD1999

Nothing new. Consider this quote from Star Trek VI.

Chekov: We do believe that all planets have a sovereign claim to inalienable human rights. Azetbur: 'In-alien...' If you could only hear yourselves. 'Human rights.' Why, even the very name is racist.

crosbie

Only if we believe it's clever to knowlingly and systematically destroy the planet we live on.

Avalon

the value of any life be it human or otherwise is only as valuable as long as some one or something cares for it

kungfooyaaaaH

Some of the answers we are looking to answer are in the bible. For example; god created humans to inhabit the earth and the animals under our dominon.

chingasos

depends, if there was a house was on fire and a human baby and a puppy were in there and you could only save one, which would you rather save.

Sutter-Cane

No, at the moment Mankind is truly worthless, complete and utter scum.

We will only stop fisting this planet when the planet fights back and kicks us all off.

I would be happy with an existence of leisure (I need no purpose), with the exception of putting in enough work to feed/clothe/heat and provide accommodation for myself and family, but instead, I am forced, in order to survive and get out of the small amount of debt I havet, work 40hrs per week, driving over 300 miles per week, using fuel and resources in a job I could do at home...

ulagam

Since we happen to be human beings, we need to consider ourselves a priority, if it comes to prioritising the living beings. But, it is difficult to survive alone, in the face of extinction of all other species. It is in the interest of the humans themselves that he protects other beings also and learn to live in harmony with Nature and all the animate and inanimate things living in the planet.

torbrexbones

humans are probably the least important and most destuctive animals on this planet.

AntoineBachmann

tricky

what is valuable?

in markets, what is scarcer, and desireable, tends to have higher value. diamonds. the tongues of some singing birds were a supreme delicacy for the Romans, and very expensive - today they would still be rare, but there is no market that i'm aware of

are human beings rare? Not really, actually in many instances it feels that there are sometimes too many of them ;-)

on this metric many animal species would be more "valuable". whales. rhinos. elephants. tigers. lions.

are human beings desireable? not really. many people will feel sorry if a whale is killed, but won't think about it for a second if a fellow human being dies in a drive by shooting.

are human beings more evolved, then? On many dimensions they seem to be able to do many more things than any (other) animal. It is that complexity dimension that would set humans as more evolved (rather than more "valuable").

on the other hand, Stephen J Gould has often argued that higher complexity in Evolution was an accident, rather than "the summit of the pyramid". And he has often argued that one could just as well measure the success of a species not by its complexity, but by its "market share" of life. By that measure, bacteria are by far the best adapted, most successful.

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