What is it to be human?

@fmf said
Our humanness could be because of a creator entity but I have no reason to believe such a creator being has given us any definition or explanation. So, if we are to find some common ground in talking about our common humanness, it would have to be without having to get into your religious beliefs or getting into a discussion about evolutionary science.

Seriously, "could be" what kind of reason is that? I'm not asking you to discuss a creator that has given us definition or explanation, I'm not even asking you to discuss a creator period! What I am asking you is about that trait you said was common to our humanity, or humanness if that word is preferable to you. I'm not asking for a religious discussion, just your explanation for what you said. You can go to evolution, religion, whatever it is that made you think it was given to us.

@kellyjay said
I'm trying to get you to tell me the what, where, why, and how when it comes to "...capacity for projecting ourselves in abstract ways" What was the mechanism that did this? If we are all built this way according to your views, what lead you to them?

Well, as I said before, and I have said it many times before, it could have been a given to us by a creator being. But seeing as neither of us know for sure - and while I respect your "faith knowledge" [I think that's what it's called, right?] - I think our humanness can be discussed without a religious discussion about "the mechanism that did this".

@fmf said
I don't know. But - supernatural cause or no supernatural cause - what about our humanness? Do you agree with this for example: I believe our each and every humanness is the accumulation of billions of unique and almost limitlessly complex personal narratives and moral compasses, which in tandem make us individuals, and "humanity" is all of us interacting with each other as we navigate the journey of life.

Can you word that a little differently its sort of jumbled. I take it you are refusing to respond to my question too?

@kellyjay said
Seriously, "could be" what kind of reason is that?

It's my honest answer, your own certainty and sincerity - which is different from mine - notwithstanding.

@kellyjay said
I'm not asking you to discuss a creator that has given us definition or explanation, I'm not even asking you to discuss a creator period!

I don't know if a creator being gave us those characteristics but I think we can surely discuss humanness regardless, right?

@fmf said
It's my honest answer, your own certainty and sincerity - which is different from mine - notwithstanding.

There are a lot of things that could be, none of them, without a cause is worth mentioning.

@kellyjay said
What I am asking you is about that trait you said was common to our humanity, or humanness if that word is preferable to you. I'm not asking for a religious discussion, just your explanation for what you said. You can go to evolution, religion, whatever it is that made you think it was given to us.

What I am asking you is about that trait you said was common to our humanity, or humanness

What is controversial about what I said? The capacities of human beings are observable and detectable.

@kellyjay said
Can you word that a little differently its sort of jumbled. I take it you are refusing to respond to my question too?

Supernatural cause or no supernatural cause - what about our humanness?

Do you agree with this for example:

I believe our each and every humanness is

the accumulation of billions of unique and almost limitlessly complex personal narratives and moral compasses

- which, in tandem, make us individuals

-and "humanity" is all of us interacting with each other as we navigate the journey of life.

@fmf said
I don't know if a creator being gave us those characteristics but I think we can surely discuss humanness regardless, right?

We can, but without some clue as to the why its all going to be, "could be", so if that is all you got, what point do you think can be made?

@kellyjay said
There are a lot of things that could be, none of them, without a cause is worth mentioning.

It could have been a creator; maybe it wasn't.

So, which bit of my description of our humanness do you disagree with?

@fmf said
Supernatural cause or no supernatural cause - what about our humanness?

Do you agree with this for example:

I believe our each and every humanness is

the accumulation of billions of unique and almost limitlessly complex personal narratives and moral compasses

- which, in tandem, make us individuals

-and "humanity" is all of us interacting with each other as we navigate the journey of life.

I think we are all unique, but so is every other lifeform, dogs are unique from one another. I find limitless personal moral compasses one of the most dangerous things ever said about human life, and that isn't a "could be" statement!

@kellyjay said
We can, but without some clue as to the why its all going to be, "could be", so if that is all you got, what point do you think can be made?

We can, but without some clue as to the why its all going to be, "could be", so if that is all you got, what point do you think can be made?

I think your personal answer to your question "Why" is a matter for you and your religion. I have talked before about the purpose I find and make for myself in this life.

what point do you think can be made?

Well, we can agree on a description of our humanness without agreeing that there definitely is a creator being.

@fmf said
It could have been a creator; maybe it wasn't.

So, which bit of my description of our humanness do you disagree with?

What sets us apart from all other life?
The one thing I thought you said that did, you cannot talk to.
If all you got is we are different and all other life is too, is that worth saying?

@kellyjay said
I think we are all unique, but so is every other lifeform, dogs are unique from one another.

But "unique" isn't the only word I used to explain myself. I used it in some sentences in conjunction with other words. Why are you talking about "dogs"?

@fmf said
We can, but without some clue as to the why its all going to be, "could be", so if that is all you got, what point do you think can be made?

I think your personal answer to your question "Why" is a matter for you and your religion. I have talked before about the purpose I find and make for myself in this life.

what point do you think can be made?

Wel ...[text shortened]... n agree on a description of our humanness without agreeing that there definitely is a creator being.

I'm not asking you to give me answers that fit my religion. I've been careful to not interject my religion into this, but have tried to understand your views. You left me thinking you don't know why you have your views.