What is it to be human?

[MarcusA]

To copy Sartre, man is more than a head of lettuce.

[No one]

Hoomans are less than 1/32 of a thimble of toenail clippings.

[MarcusA]

Hoomans are less than 1/32 of a thimble of toenail clippings.

A man is no more than a beast with a brain when he thinks about sex.

[Asmodean]

To be human is... Just that.

This subject is as broad or as narrow as you wish it to be. Personally, I would argue that being human does not place upon you any responsibility that you do not take upon yourself, excepting those of your current social contract (Circumstances of birth/life)

[MarcusA]

To be human is... Just that.

This subject is as broad or as narrow as you wish it to be. Personally, I would argue that being human does not place upon you any responsibility that you do not take upon yourself, excepting those of your current social contract (Circumstances of birth/life)

I believe that we must live as an example to others.

[No one]

Take me for instance, I'm the "Let's never do that ever again" example.

[Old Seer]

To copy Sartre, man is more than a head of lettuce.

Make a choice.
Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
hu·man
adjective
adjective: human

    relating to or characteristic of people or human beings.
    "the human body"
    h
    Similar:
    anthropoid

h
Opposite:
animal

    of or characteristic of people as opposed to God or animals or machines, especially in being susceptible to weaknesses.
    "they are only human and therefore mistakes do occur"
    h
    Similar:
    mortal

flesh and blood
fallible
weak
frail
imperfect
vulnerable
susceptible
erring
error-prone
physical
bodily
fleshly
carnal
corporal
h
Opposite:
infallible
of or characteristic of people's better qualities, such as kindness or sensitivity.
"the human side of politics is getting stronger"
h
Similar:
compassionate
humane
kind
kindly
kindhearted
considerate
understanding
sympathetic
tolerant
approachable
accessible

        h
        Opposite:
        inhuman
        Zoology
        of or belonging to the genus Homo.

noun
noun: human; plural noun: humans

    a human being, especially a person as distinguished from an animal or (in science fiction) an alien.
    h
    Similar:
    person

human being
personage
mortal

[MarcusA]

To copy Sartre, man is more than a head of lettuce.

Make a choice.
Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
hu·man
adjective
adjective: human

    relating to or characteristic of people or human beings.
    "the human body"
    h
    Similar:
    anthropoid

h
Opposite:
animal

    of or characteristic of people as opposed to God or animals or machines, especially in being susceptible to weaknesses.
    "they are only human and therefore mistakes do occur"
    h
    Similar:
    mortal

flesh and blood
fallible
weak
frail
imperfect
vulnerable
susceptible
erring
error-prone
physical
bodily
fleshly
carnal
corporal
h
Opposite:
infallible
of or characteristic of people's better qualities, such as kindness or sensitivity.
"the human side of politics is getting stronger"
h
Similar:
compassionate
humane
kind
kindly
kindhearted
considerate
understanding
sympathetic
tolerant
approachable
accessible

        h
        Opposite:
        inhuman
        Zoology
        of or belonging to the genus Homo.

noun
noun: human; plural noun: humans

    a human being, especially a person as distinguished from an animal or (in science fiction) an alien.
    h
    Similar:
    person

human being
personage
mortal

Human beings are certainly mortal.

[Asmodean]

I believe that we must live as an example to others.

I do not.

You may choose to live thusly - or you may not. Unless you are specifically a parent, talking about his children, for whom he has certain ambitions and aspirations, I see no "ought to" here.

At the end of the day, you get to choose who to look up to - why should something that is ultimately your unilateral choice place any responsibility on them?

[MarcusA]

I believe that we must live as an example to others.

I do not.

You may choose to live thusly - or you may not. Unless you are specifically a parent, talking about his children, for whom he has certain ambitions and aspirations, I see no "ought to" here.

At the end of the day, you get to choose who to look up to - why should something that is ultimately your unilateral choice place any responsibility on them?

Well, Asmo, there is such a thing as free will.

[No one]

Due to inflation it's now 350 will.

[MarcusA]

Due to inflation it's now 350 will.

Free Will is certainly expensive.

[Asmodean]

Well, Asmo, there is such a thing as free will.

Precisely. As a subset thereof, your responsibility to yourself and the world is, to a degree, your own to define.

[MarcusA]

Well, Asmo, there is such a thing as free will.

Precisely. As a subset thereof, your responsibility to yourself and the world is, to a degree, your own to define.

Responsibility cuts both ways. I am responsible for myself and others.

[Asmodean]

Hmm... Yeah, but not really.

Let us say you are driving a car. Yes, you have a responsibility by doing so to see to that your driving does not endanger other road users. However, if another road user jumps right in front of it at (or, on, likely as not) speed, that's only on him.

Now, you can take responsibility for his actions, but frankly, why on earth would you?