being humane essay

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Life is Long Journey Between Human Being and Being Human

01 Aug 2023

“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you; none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”

Swami Vivekananda

As we embark on the journey of life , we traverse a path filled with diverse experiences, encounters, and challenges. Each step we take, every decision we make, and every interaction we have contributes to the shade of our existence. This journey serves as an opportunity for profound self-discovery, growth, and understanding.

Throughout our lives, we encounter various situations that shape our identity and perspective. We may face triumphs and successes that boost our confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment. Simultaneously, we encounter failures and setbacks that test our resilience and offer valuable lessons for personal development. These experiences collectively contribute to our growth as individuals and shape the unique fabric of our being.

The concept of being human extends beyond mere existence as a member of the Homo sapiens species . It encompasses the ideals of compassion , empathy, self-awareness, and moral consciousness. To be human is to embrace our capacity for reason, creativity, and the pursuit of truth and justice. It is a lifelong endeavor to cultivate our humanity and foster a harmonious coexistence with others and the world around us.

However, the path towards being human is not a straightforward one. It is a complex and often arduous journey that requires introspection , self-reflection, and growth. The process of self-evaluation, free from bias and unaffected by personal preferences, is an essential aspect of personal growth regarding being human. Typically, humans have a tendency to prioritize their own ideologies and preferences.

Individuals often strive to justify their thoughts and actions , even if they may not align with reality. It is the ego that prevents individuals from acknowledging their shortcomings and falsehoods, hindering their ability to truly accept their weaknesses and lack of understanding. However, the journey towards being human involves acknowledging these limitations and rejecting false notions of self-importance. By embracing humility and recognizing the need for improvement, individuals can transition from human being to being truly human. Generally, an individual spends a significant portion of their lives simply being human , going through the motions without truly understanding or embodying the essence of their humanity. They may be driven by primal instincts, societal expectations , or personal ambitions , losing sight of the fundamental values that define our shared humanity.

To embark on the transformative journey from human being to being human, the development of profound self-awareness is paramount. Self-awareness is the inherent ability of the mind to integrate both the external and internal worlds. However, the inclination of the mind is often to align itself with the side that is more convenient for the individual. Nevertheless, an aware mind always takes the side of righteousness , regardless of convenience. Examining our thoughts, emotions, and actions becomes crucial in this process. We must question the motives and consequences behind them. By gaining a better understanding of ourselves, we can effectively identify our strengths and weaknesses, biases and prejudices . This self-examination empowers us to actively personal inner growth and enlightenment.

Human beings have the capacity for reason and logical thinking . We can analyze information, solve problems, make decisions based on evidence and critical thinking, and pursue knowledge and understanding.

Furthermore, being human requires us to cultivate empathy and compassion towards others. It involves recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances . Through empathy, we can transcend our own perspectives and connect with the experiences and emotions of others, fostering understanding and fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society. True humans possess the ability to understand and share the feelings of others . They demonstrate empathy by showing kindness, compassion, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. They strive to alleviate suffering and promote the welfare of those around them.

Integrity and honesty are fundamental characteristics of being human, as true humans uphold moral and ethical principles. They exhibit truthfulness, trustworthiness, and dependability in both their words and actions. They prioritize doing what is right, even when it conflicts with personal gain or convenience. Being human entails a deep respect for the dignity, autonomy, and rights of all individuals. True human value diversity and treat others with fairness, openness , and tolerance, irrespective of differences in race, gender, religion, or any other attribute. They actively cultivate an inclusive and accepting environment.

A key characteristic of true humans is assuming responsibility for their actions and decisions. They take accountability for the outcomes resulting from their choices and readily acknowledge their mistakes or shortcomings to learn from them. They possess an awareness of how their behavior impacts themselves, others, and the world at large. These individuals exhibit humility by recognizing their limitations, being open-minded to diverse ideas, perspectives, and feedback. They foster a mindset of lifelong learning and willingly challenge their own beliefs and biases. They demonstrate courage in the face of challenges, adversity, and fear, displaying resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. They embrace personal growth, viewing setbacks as opportunities for learning and development.

Individuals willingly dedicate their time, resources, and abilities to assist others without expecting anything in return. They actively contribute to enhancing their communities and strive to positively impact the lives of those around them. These individuals seek wisdom through introspection, self-reflection, and continuous personal growth. They draw lessons from their experiences, develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others, and make thoughtful decisions based on insight and discernment. True humans embrace love as a fundamental aspect of their existence, fostering meaningful connections with family, friends , and the broader human community . They express love, care, and support, nurturing a sense of belonging and interconnectedness.

Becoming a true human is an ongoing journey that extends throughout a lifetime, acknowledging that perfection is unattainable. These characteristics serve as a guiding framework for personal growth and ethical conduct, but it's crucial to approach them with humility, empathy , and a dedication to constant self-improvement.

“The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him - that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.”

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UPSC Essay: Life is a long journey between human being and being humane (2020)

2020 UPSC Mains Essay Paper Topic | Section A: Life is a long journey between human being and being humane.

Life is a long journey between human being and being humane.

Introduction

The journey of life is often described as a path of personal growth and discovery, a voyage that transcends mere existence to embrace the essence of what it truly means to be humane. This journey, from being a human being to becoming humane, is laden with philosophical depth and moral significance. While every individual is born a human being, inheriting certain biological and psychological traits, becoming ‘humane’ is a more intricate process. It involves developing attributes like empathy, compassion, and a sense of justice, which are not innate but cultivated. The philosophical underpinnings of being humane are rooted in the age-old debate of nature versus nurture and the moral responsibilities that come with being a part of the human race. It is an exploration of the self in relation to others and the world, where the endpoint is a state of existence that surpasses basic human needs and desires, reaching into the realm of ethical consciousness and altruistic behaviour.

The Essence of Human Existence

The concept of being a ‘human being’ is initially grounded in biological reality. Humans are characterized by their physical attributes, cognitive abilities, and the capacity for complex language and emotional responses. Psychologically, humans exhibit a wide range of behaviours and emotions, driven by both genetic predisposition and environmental influences. Social aspects further define human beings, as they live in communities, form relationships, and create cultures that shape their understanding of the world.

However, being ‘humane’ adds deeper, moral and ethical dimensions to the basic framework of human existence. It transcends biological and social necessities, encapsulating qualities such as empathy, kindness, and a deep-seated sense of morality. To be humane is to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of all living beings and to act with compassion and understanding towards others. This aspect of human existence is not automatic; it is a result of self-reflection, education, and a conscious choice to extend one’s concern beyond oneself. The contrast between just being a human being and being humane is stark. While the former is a state of being, the latter is a state of doing – doing good, acting with moral integrity, and making choices that reflect a consideration for the greater good.

In this journey from human being to humane, each individual manoeuvres through life’s experiences, constantly learning and evolving. The essence of this journey lies in the choices one makes – choices that are guided not just by personal or societal norms, but by a deeper moral compass that directs one towards greater kindness, empathy, and humanity.

Milestones of Humanness

The journey towards becoming humane is marked by various stages in life where individuals learn and exhibit qualities like empathy, compassion, and altruism. These milestones often emerge from personal experiences, interactions with others, and the inherent desire to understand and connect with the world around us.

One such milestone is often experienced during childhood, where the seeds of empathy are sown through family interactions and early education. For instance, the simple act of sharing toys in kindergarten teaches children the value of considering others’ feelings. Historical figures like Mother Teresa showcased compassion and selflessness from a young age, setting the foundation for their later humanitarian work.

Adolescence and young adulthood present another significant milestone, where the understanding of social justice and moral values deepens. The story of Malala Yousafzai, who advocated for girls’ education in Pakistan despite immense personal risk, illustrates how this stage of life can be pivotal in embracing humane qualities.

Adulthood further presents opportunities for demonstrating altruism through various roles – as parents, professionals, and citizens. It’s in these roles that individuals often face real-world challenges that test their humane qualities. The life of Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid with great empathy and forgiveness, is a testament to the humane qualities developed and exhibited throughout one’s life.

Challenges on the Path to Being Humane

The path to becoming humane is fraught with challenges and conflicts, especially in a complex and often contradictory world. Societal pressures can sometimes overshadow moral values, pushing individuals towards choices that prioritize personal gain over ethical considerations. The competitive nature of modern life often poses ethical dilemmas where the right choice is not always the easiest one.

One of the major challenges is the prevalence of social and economic disparities that can desensitize individuals to the plight of others. In such a context, maintaining a sense of empathy and compassion requires conscious effort and self-reflection. Additionally, the bombardment of negative news and the fast pace of life can lead to a phenomenon known as ‘compassion fatigue’, where individuals become numb to the suffering of others.

Another challenge is the moral ambiguity presented by certain situations. In a world with diverse cultures and beliefs, what is considered humane in one context may not be seen the same way in another. This cultural relativism can lead to ethical dilemmas that challenge one’s understanding of what it means to be humane.

Despite these challenges, the journey towards being humane is a fulfilling one, rich with opportunities for personal growth and the creation of a more empathetic and understanding world.

Role of Education and Environment

Education and environment play pivotal roles in shaping one’s journey towards being humane. The influence starts in the family, where the initial values and attitudes towards others are formed. The way parents and other family members treat each other and those outside the family sets a foundational example for children. The story of Mahatma Gandhi, who was deeply influenced by the religious tolerance and non-violence preached by his mother, illustrates the profound impact familial environment can have.

In the realm of formal education, schools and universities are not just centers for academic learning but also for moral and ethical development. Education that emphasizes empathy, social justice, and ethical reasoning fosters the development of humane qualities in students. For instance, educational programs that include community service or social work as a part of their curriculum encourage students to engage directly with societal issues, nurturing a sense of responsibility and empathy.

The broader environment, including the cultural and social framework one grows up in, also significantly influences this journey. Societies that value community, cooperation, and mutual respect naturally encourage the development of humane qualities. Conversely, environments marked by conflict, competition, and individualism may pose challenges to nurturing these qualities.

Global and Cultural Perspectives on Humanness

The concept of being humane is viewed differently across cultures, reflecting a diversity of moral and ethical frameworks. For instance, in many Eastern cultures, the idea of being humane is deeply intertwined with religious and philosophical teachings, such as the concepts of ‘Dharma’ in Hinduism or ‘Ren’ in Confucianism, which emphasize righteous living and benevolence.

In Western societies, the concept of humanness has often been shaped by a combination of religious teachings, particularly Christianity, and Enlightenment values like individual rights and rationalism. This blend results in a perspective of humanness that values individual freedom and social responsibility.

The influence of these cultural perspectives on individuals can be profound. For example, Scandinavian countries, known for their strong welfare systems and emphasis on collective well-being, foster a societal environment where being humane is a shared value, influencing individuals’ attitudes and actions from an early age.

These global and cultural perspectives not only define the concept of being humane but also influence the journey of individuals in striving to embody these qualities. The diversity of these perspectives illustrates that while the essence of being humane is universal, its expression and development are deeply influenced by the cultural and societal context.

Humanness in the Modern World

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, the relevance and role of being humane are more critical than ever. While technological advancements have connected us in unprecedented ways, they have also brought challenges that test our humane qualities. The anonymity and distance provided by digital platforms can sometimes lead to a lack of empathy and a rise in insensitivity. However, these very challenges present opportunities for demonstrating and nurturing humane qualities.

Modern society, with its complex issues ranging from global warming to social inequality, requires individuals who are not only technologically adept but also deeply humane. The ability to empathize with others, show compassion, and make ethical decisions is crucial in creating solutions that are not just effective but also just and fair. The recent global response to humanitarian crises, where people across the world have come together to offer support, shows how modern society can foster a sense of global responsibility and humanness.

The journey towards becoming more humane is an essential aspect of personal growth and a key contributor to a harmonious society. It is a continuous process that involves self-reflection, learning, and a conscious effort to empathize and act with compassion. This journey is not always easy, and it is often marked with challenges that test our resolve, but its importance cannot be overstated.

As we journey through life, the need for constant self-improvement and empathy remains vital. In a world that is increasingly interconnected yet paradoxically at risk of growing apathy, our humane qualities are the bridge that connects us to each other. They enable us to understand and share the feelings of others, to act with kindness, and to make the world a better place. The journey from being a human being to being humane is, therefore, not just a personal endeavour but a collective necessity, vital for the well-being and progress of humanity as a whole.

In conclusion, as we continue on this journey, let us remember that every step towards being more humane is a step towards a more compassionate, understanding, and just world. It is a journey that we must all undertake, for in being humane lies the true essence of being human.

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[Essay Topic- 1 Mains 2020]Life is long journey between human being and being humane.

Introduction, life, in its intricate weave of experiences, emotions, and interactions, can be seen as a profound journey—from merely being a ‘human being’ to evolving into a being truly ‘humane’. this perspective emphasizes the transition from mere existence to embracing virtues that represent the pinnacle of human character., thesis statement, the odyssey of life is not just about living but evolving—moving from the biological dimension of being human to the ethical and spiritual dimension of being humane., crux/meaning of the essay, this essay delves into the journey of self-transformation, from understanding one’s existence and identity as a human being to adopting qualities of compassion, empathy, and kindness—essentially, becoming humane., different dimensions, physical existence vs. ethical being: while every individual starts with the basic fact of existence, the true essence of life might be in adopting principles and values that elevate one’s character. survival vs. altruism: while the primal instincts revolve around self-preservation and survival, a humane outlook drives individuals towards altruism, selflessness, and a commitment to the greater good. growth and enlightenment: the journey from being a human being to being humane also echoes the spiritual and philosophical paths of enlightenment and self-realization., different perspectives, the philosopher’s view: philosophers might explore the essence of a ‘good life’, emphasizing virtues, ethics, and the broader purpose of human existence. the sociologist’s perspective: from a societal viewpoint, the transition to being humane is pivotal for social cohesion, mutual respect, and the development of a harmonious community. the spiritual lens : spiritual traditions often emphasize compassion, love, and kindness, suggesting that the journey to being humane is closely tied to spiritual growth and fulfillment., significance in current context, in a world grappling with divisiveness, conflict, and myriad challenges, the journey towards being humane becomes paramount. compassion, understanding, and empathy stand as beacons of hope, guiding societies towards unity, peace, and collective prosperity., the tapestry of life is enriched when one transcends the mere boundaries of human existence and embraces the virtues that epitomize humanity. while the journey from being a human being to being humane is challenging, filled with introspection and growth, it is this very odyssey that imparts profound meaning, purpose, and depth to life. in the end, it is not just about living, but living with grace, empathy, and a deep commitment to the shared human experience., related posts:.

[Model Answer QP2022 GS4 Ethics]Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations.
[Essay Topic- 1 Mains 2021]The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.
ESSAY PAPER: UPSC MAINS EXAM 2022
[Essay Topic -3 Mains 2023] Not all who wander are lost.

What Does It Mean to Be Human

Categories: Being a Man Human Nature

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

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The power of consciousness and thought, connections and relationships, self-awareness and identity, the pursuit of meaning and legacy, conclusion: embracing the human experience.

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What does it mean to be human?

By Jon Farrar

What does it mean to be human? It’s a simple question, just a few short words, but it unwraps the bundle of complexity, contradictions, and mystery that is a human life.

It’s a question we have been asking for thousands of years. Priests and poets, philosophers and politicians, scientists and artists have all sought to answer this ultimate puzzle, but all fell short, never able to fully capture the vastness of the human experience.

Origin of Species book by Charles Darwin

More on Science

Some have come closer than others.

Charles Darwin had one of the greatest insights into the human condition that any of our species has had, changing thousands of years' of thought at the stroke of a pen, yet he had nothing to say about how we actually experience being human.

It would be another 50 years before an Austrian doctor began to talk about the hidden forces of the subconscious mind, but even Sigmund Freud couldn’t provide an adequate explanation for consciousness. In fact, to date, no-one has come close to describing the sheer magnificent wonder of being alive. The electric surge we feel when we kiss a lover, the deep stirring of the soul when we listen to Mozart’s Requiem, and the full flowing joy of laughing uncontrollably with our closest friends as we share a joke.

Being Human is a major new season launching on BBC Earth that aims to take us as closer to understanding who we are. Why do we behave the way we do? How do we live better? How did we get to now? What is our future?

Over the course of a year, we will take you by the hand and dive into these questions, exploring all corners of humanity with wide-eyed curiosity. We will look deep into the mind at what drives our behaviour, meet extraordinary humans who have unlocked the secrets of a long and healthy life, take a trip through 2000 years of civilisation, journey into the human body on our path to adulthood as we go from baby to baby-maker, experience the drama of extraordinary human rituals that hope to cheat death, and watch happens to our bodies in the hours, days, and months after we die.

We have brilliant series from world class programme makers coming up, full of incredible ideas at the leading edge of scientific thought. We want to make you think, but we also want to make you feel. Being Human will be a celebration of the human race. We want to make the hairs on the back of the neck stand up at the improbable good fortune of our own existence.

So what is our story? Let’s start with the facts. We are one species of primate that emerged from the dry savannahs of East Africa just over 100,000 years ago and began a migration that continues to today.

We weren’t the strongest animal, but we had an unusually large brain and held ourselves upright, giving us a high vantage to scan the distant horizon for enemies, and the freedom to use our hands for other purposes. Over time we began to fashion tools. These were primitive, but could tear through skin and muscle and gave us an advantage as we prowled our wild habitat for prey.

We might have continued our short life of hunting, savagery, and brutishness right through to today, but for one important development - language. Other animals could communicate, but we evolved astonishing vocal ability, able to create sounds that represented not just objects, but also concepts. We learned how to express ideas. We could speak of danger, hope, and love. We became storytellers, able to weave together common narratives about who we are and how we should live. From this point on the pace of change was electrifying.

Twelve thousand years ago, we learned how to domesticate plants and other animals for food, and were able to settle in one place. We became a social animal, building complex communities that become kingdoms, learning to trade with each other using a concept called money.

By 2500 years ago, a small group of humans in Southern Europe and the Middle East started to ask big questions about who we were. What is the best way to live? What is a good life? What does it mean to be human? How we responded to these questions is how we built our civilisation, art, and philosophy. Five hundred years ago, the scientific revolution began, allowing us to harness the resources of our planet to live longer and more productive lives.

Woman using voice assistant on smartphone in the rain

When the digital revolution began only 50 years ago, the world shrank. We became a global village, our hopes and dreams converted into an infinite stream of ones and zeroes echoing throughout cyberspace. Today, we stand astride the world as a god, with both the power to destroy our own planet and to create life.

We may even be the last of our species to be fully human as bio-technology and artificial intelligence begin to rip apart the very core of who we are. Indeed, our Being Human campaign is led by Sophia, an incredible lifelike robot who is developing her own intelligence. She looks human, she sounds human, but she cannot yet think or feel like a human. How many years until she is truly one of us? Or we are one of them?

Our story is remarkable. The greatest story ever told. And while it is the story of astonishing development for our species, it is also the tale of billions of individual lives echoing down the millennia, all of them full of hope and promise, fear and disappointment. As we discover more about reality, we continue our ascent into insignificance, becoming a vanishing footnote in space and time, a speck of dust in the vastness of the universe. But to be human is to be at the centre of our own universe, to experience life in all its colours and all its potential. This is what we want to celebrate with Being Human - the awe of being alive and the thrill of discovering what it means to be us, the greatest wonder in the world.

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The Power of Humanity: On Being Human Now and in the Future

Humanity means three different things: a species; a behaviour, and a global identity. The historical relationship between these different dimensions of humanity has been elegantly discussed by the late Bruce Mazlish in his 2009 book The Idea of Humanity in a Global Era and it is important to distinguish between these three aspects of being human as we prepare to meet as a global humanitarian movement once again.

Humanity as species

The first meaning of humanity describes a particular kind of animal that biologists encouragingly call homo sapiens – or wise human – and which seems distinct from all other animals because of its powers of language, reasoning, imagination and technology. This biological and evolutionary use of the term has the same meaning as “humankind” and marks us out as a particular life form that is different to other kinds of animal and vegetative life.

The power of the human species is considerable over the non-human world. This is mainly because our intelligence has consistently invented and deployed tools and technology which means we have come to dominate the earth, and our imagination has shaped religious and political meanings around which we form competing interests and social movements.

Our tools mean we are not a simple species but always function as a hybrid species – part human and part technology – in a constantly changing mix of human and non-human components. This hybrid humanity must infuriate non-human life like lions and microbes who could easily “take us down” in a fair fight of simple life forms, but who have consistently encountered us in hybrid forms in which we merge our humanity with spears, guns, horses, cars, vaccines and antibiotics.

We operate routinely in these human-machine interactions (HMI) of various kinds. I am doing it now typing on my Macbook Air with an electric fan to keep me cool on a hot summer’s day. Our mechanization gives us exponential power and unfair advantage over non-human life forms both large and microscopic, which tend to remain simple in one form except for bacteria and viruses, our most threatening predators, which can change form relatively fast.

Our essential hybridity with other animal, plant and machine life is now in the emergent stages of a giant leap towards new forms of power which we cannot envision . New applications of biotech, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) mean that our hybrid humanity is about to expand exponentially in a way that is already changing what it means to be human. Today’s technologists are focused hard on simplifying human-machine interfaces – different types of “dashboards” which use our five human senses and recognize human gestures so that our humanity interacts seamlessly with AI of various kinds. These interfaces will increasingly be embedded in our bodies and minds as new levels of interactivity with technology which will inevitably change the experience of being human and the power of humanity.

Technology will not just change us where we are but also change where we can be. Humanity will be enhanced in time and space but also relocated across time and space. For example, because I am on Twitter or Skype, I can already be visibly present elsewhere, speaking and responding in thousands of different places across time and space. This is radically different from my great grandmother who could only ever really be visible and engaged in one place at one time, or in two places at two times when someone far away was reading a letter from her.

This time-space compression and its resulting context collapse which began with radio and television is an ever-increasing feature of being human. Some of our grandchildren will probably be talking and listening simultaneously in a hundred different places at once in embodied replicas as holograms or humanoid drones. They will probably be fluent in all languages, move through space much faster than us and live forever on earth and in space because of biological and AI enhancements. Our machines will develop new levels of autonomy which, although created by humans, are inevitably adapted by machine learning into new forms of non-human and non-animal life.

This all means that the power of humanity as a species is about to increase dramatically because of a revolution in human-machine interaction which will see new forms of hybridity beyond our current imagining. Our human power will become even greater but what about our wisdom and the way we use this new power of humanity? In short, what about the ethics of our behaviour in our new hybrid humanity?

Humanity as ethical behaviour

We now come to the second meaning of humanity which is used to describe a certain moral value that we can see operating across humankind as kindness and compassion for one another. We can therefore understand this second meaning as the kindness of humans. [1] This humanity is our first Fundamental Principle and primary purpose in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and has been summarized as follows since 1965:

“To prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found (and) to protect life and health and ensure respect for the human being.”

This principle of humanity is the fundamental value at play in every Red Cross and Red Crescent worker wherever they are in the world today. If you stop one of them in whatever they are doing – taking blood donations in a major city, organizing relief in war or disaster, or negotiating with diplomats in the UN Security Council – and ask them why they are doing it, each one them should simply answer: “I am trying to protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings.”

This is humanity in action and it is the power of this humanity – humane behaviour towards other humans – that we seek to celebrate, improve and increase in our Movement’s 33rd International Conference in December.

Humanity in this sense is human behaviour that cares for other humans because of a profound and universally held conviction that life is better than death, and that to live well means being treated humanely in relationships of mutual respect. This commitment is a driving principle in the rules of behaviour in the Geneva Conventions, whose 70th anniversary falls this year, and in the Disaster Laws recommended by the Movement to ensure better disaster prevention, preparedness and response around the world.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is at once symbol, advocate and embodiment of this ethic of humanity and so is constantly working emotionally, judicially and practically to increase humanity as a dominant form of human behaviour in extreme situations. This is not easy, of course, because the human species is ethically ambivalent and not simply driven by an ethic of humanity. We are also deeply competitive, cruel and violent as a species and often believe that some things we have constructed are much more important than particular human lives. The reason that the call for humanity is so loud is because our record of inhumanity is so long, and the power of inhumanity is often greater than the power of humanity.

And what of humanity’s behaviour towards non-human life? In our era of climate crisis, environmental degradation and multiple species extinction, the moral principle of humanity is looking increasingly self-referential and incomplete as a primary ethic for the human species. Quite simply, it is not enough for humans only to be kind to humans.

The principle of humanity as currently expressed is a classic example of speciesism in ethics. It cares only about one species – our own. We may claim that the principle of humanity is a niche ethic for calamitous human situations which rightly trumps wider ethical considerations in extremis, but this is neither true nor realistic. It is not true because the principle of humanity already takes account of the natural environment in the laws of war and the norms of disaster response and so recognizes the importance of non-human life in its own right and as means to human life. Nor is it realistic at a time when our biggest existential challenge as a species arises from our relationship with the non-human world around us.

The principle of humanity must, therefore, keep pace with the ethical evolution of humanity (the species) and needs to expand its purpose and behaviour towards non-human life. This currently includes all animal and vegetative life. But, in future, it is increasingly also likely to include non-human machines like robots and AI which may develop their own levels of consciousness, feelings and rights as they increasingly merge with humanity – the species and its ethics – in hybrid forms.

Here time is pressing. We may have little time to work out what it means to apply humane behaviour within non-human machines and towards non-human machines. This means agreeing how non-human machines and new models of human-machine interactions can behave with humanity, especially as new weapons systems. It will also mean thinking about how we should show humanity to increasingly machine-like humans and human-like machines.

We may have even less time to think hard about what it means to show humanity to non-human environments and animals in the Movement’s humanitarian norms and work. At the moment, our humanitarian action can be profoundly inhumane to non-human life, neither protecting nor respecting it.

With all this uncertainty about what exactly it may mean to be human in future and the persistent record of our inhumanity to each other and towards non-human life, what sense does it make to try to aspire to a single global identity as billions of human beings?

Humanity as global identity

Over the last 200 years, a third sense of humanity has increasingly referred to a single global identity across all human societies. This is not a simple biological identity but the idea that as a conflicted species we can and must build a single global political identity in which every human has a stake. This global identity is a meta identity which transcends smaller identities shaped by culture, nation, class, political opinion and religion.

The purpose of this single political humanity is to build a human “we” in which can share a common species consciousness as one group sharing a single planetary “home” and so work together on common problems and common opportunities that face the whole of humanity.

This political sense of being a single global group is experiencing push-back today as a broad-based politics of ethnic and economic nationalism expresses scepticism about globalism of all kinds. This political turn sees many people asking national politicians to think “more about us here” and “less about them over there”. But our Movement continues to argue that it is important to imagine and build a global sense of humanity because our common human problems are intense and interdependent, and can only be solved internationally not just nationally.

There are five truly existential problems that we all share as members of the human species, and always have done. Threats from each one can be significantly reduced if we work together to solve them in the spirit of Dumas’ Three Musketeers: “all for one and one for all”. This is what we try to do at the International Conference. Our perennial five problems are:

1. The problem of our violence as a species as it plays out terribly in war and violent crime. 2. Our struggle for fairness and our desire to reduce inequalities between us. 3. Our predators and their threat to our health which now take mainly microscopic form as infectious microbes, or chronic and autoimmune diseases in which we attack ourselves. 4. Our relationship with the non-human environment and its impact on human survival. 5. The promethean risk of our creativity and how our technological inventions help and harm as they change the world around us and redefine humanity itself in new hybrid forms.

These five deep species problems will all be raised in various forms at our Conference in December. They will require a powerful response by all humanity, with an ethic of humanity, to ensure the survival of humanity.

[1] Oxfam plays on the relationship between humankind and kind humans in their ongoing global campaign “Be Humankind” which was launched in 2008.

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Great piece Hugo. I must say, the term “non-human machine” is a head-scratcher. It looks like a redundancy, but suspect you have a very good reason for using it.

On a more serious note, I think we need to be careful not to lump all push-back on the ideal of humanity as an expression of selfish nationalism or a rejection of our global family. The way we think and define humanity in humanitarian circles seems embedded in a (Western?) tradition of individual rights and freedoms. I don’t think that is necessarily a problem. But we should think about how this might translate into, for example, an approach to impartiality that obscures the needs of and undermines the social capital of a community via its systemic reduction of crisis response to the individual or household.

Oddly enough, I just blogged about this earlier today. Your upcoming conference seems a good place to reflect not just on the power and ideals encapsulated by our principle of humanity, but how we might comprehend and mitigate potential negative consequences of its (all too human?) operationalization.

I admire your aspirations for a global identity for humanity.

I bring good news that we already have such an identity. We are all the creation of One God, Allah, the Most Merciful. He Created us for a purpose, and we undoubtedly will return to Him and be held to account for how we used the life He gave us.

Allah the Exalted says: “O people, worship your Lord who created you and those before you, so that you may become God-fearing.” (Qur’an 2:2)

I humbly invite you to apply your rare intellect and your inspiring concern for humanity to a study of the Qur’an, in which you might find answers. Islam teaches that humanity will only succeed when we surrender to the will of God.

Thank you, Marc. You’re right “non-human machine” sounds weird. I suppose I was reaching for “human-like (but not human) machine”. It’s all quite complicated still to me….

And, yes, I share your caution on an overly-individualistic application of humanitarian action. We must always balance an individual caseload with a collective response. I look forward to reading your blog on this. Please tell us where it is. I gave a paper on the increasing “individualisation”of the civilian at Edinburgh University earlier this year and have lost it, rather annoyingly! If I find it, I will write it up……

Thank you, Sharriff, for your beautiful call (dawa) for me to embrace Islam. I have heard it and know well that our modern secular commitment to a single global identity as human beings is founded in a more original faith and its religious insight.

And I will keep reading the Quran as I study all faiths, and we will see what happens.

The tragedy is that humans are likely to accord ‘human’ rights to machines which are made in their own image while continuing to abuse the other animals who have as much (and, indeed, arguably more) right to planetary resources than the human animal. Every day, other animals have their lands and other resources stolen by humans. Every second of every day and night other animals are imprisoned without cause…tortured mentally and physically, and then murdered by an animal which is far too full of its own importance. We should respect these other animals, treating them as we wish to be treated ourselves…It’s time to get off our ‘human supremacist’ pedestals and to show (a very great deal) of humility towards the other animals whose home this planet also is. One final observation, the more I understand about other animals and the more I see of the human animal, the more I feel that the only thing that distinguishes us from other animals, is our capacity to destroy the planet.

Thanks for the article and the focus on the different dimensions of being human.

I really like this part: “(…) it is important to imagine and build a global sense of humanity because our common human problems are intense and interdependent, and can only be solved internationally not just nationally.”

I see in those lines a call for true solidarity, and to be aware of the reality that we as humanity have a common origin and a common destiny, that we are all in the same journey together and we cannot simply escape from each other closing borders or even closing our eyes and minds to difficult realities other humans are experiencing.

I see also a call for multilateralism and multistakeholder approach for the solution of the different challenges we face as human family.

Recently, I read the book The Good Immigrant. There is one article from Salena Godden, British poet, recalling our global citizenship and expressing: “United as a people we are a million majestic colours, together we are a glorious stained glass window. We are building a cathedral of otherness, brick by brick and book by book. “

Our species has developed a lot in the past years. New treatments, advanced equipment are there to solve those issues which were impossible to take care of. The development can be seen through medical, automotive and other industries. Thank you very much. I would like to know more about this! Smile makeover Malden

A really well-written and meaningful article! I found a small motivation in myself to write about change as I read your blog… Life is about growth, but many people remain the same without even sparing a thought even for a moment. Many people think that they have come up to a level by which nobody can demand anything from them. They are repulsive and unchangeable even if it is for their own good. If people aren’t adamant to change, they can see more of themselves which can help in the overall development of society, humanity and also the earth. Here are my thoughts about the change that needs to be brought about in humanity as a whole. https://thebetterhumanity.com/why-do-we-need-change/ Hope you like them! Thanks

Interesting insights- thanks very much for sharing them, and for reading!

Great piece Hugo. I must say, the term “non-human machine” is a head-scratcher. It looks like a redundancy, but suspect you have a very good reason for using it. Thanks for your nice post . I hope I will see this type of post again in your Website

its very nice fantastic

Human population densities are approaching that of animals in factory farms; thus humanity may end up in ‘factory cities’, whatever that might mean.

The power of humanity? Humanity is a disgusting species, more akin to a virus or plague than any mammalian species. Selfish, greedy, destructive, dishonest, disloyal and with only rare exceptions to the contrary. The planet will be far better off once we’re gone. I live completely off grid now, and there are signs across my property here in Europe spelling it out, in no uncertain terms, what will happen to anyone, anyone, who steps foot on my land. The more time I spend working the land, with my dogs, the less I like, and have time for, humanity. I’m ashamed to be a part of it.

Excellent piece but I have to leave a comment, I live in northeast of England and was raised and live in a working class community, my view of being human and humanity is almost alien to how you perceive it, I had to double check my self, television, schooling, religion and parents world views is what really shapes us into being, i was born in 1980, and if I speak honestly I see myself being of a loving nature from nature all equal in value. 1 law, do not cause harm to others willingly. We are everything and nothing, I wasn’t taught this but it’s built into our dna, it has to be, I see surfering and pain voilence mainly from television and media, what isn’t taught which should be primary is how to use our full brain potential, and energetic body system, I know it as kundalini and pineal activation, and from here we can operate from a super position, ie quantum. Even with all this confusion and old Newtonian way of thinking, inherently i see the majority existing with all the creators creations extremely well, for we know deep down we are one.. all information is in this space and time. It should be taught because a lot of people know how. everything is conscious, all is mind, mind if the all. There is solid foundations in place to build upon metaphysically. The metaverse already exists. So I don’t know what zuckerberg and co are creating, we need transparency and a universal language to communicate, so as to not be tricked, conned, confused by double speak and countless meanings of words, hood winked into thinking were something else. Have trust and faith in ourself we are made with a Divine spark within us, thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this, love and harmony to all

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts Michael! Sending love and harmony back your way. Best, Lizzie

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A Summary and Analysis of John Locke’s An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Published in 1689 though formally dated 1690, John Locke’s An Essay Concerning Human Understanding is one of the most important works of Enlightenment philosophy: indeed, in many ways, Locke paved the way for the (later) Enlightenment.

But what is it about An Essay Concerning Human Understanding , and Locke’s argument, which makes him so important?

You can read the whole of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding here (the text is taken from the original 1689 edition, which erroneously gave the title as An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding ), but we’ve tried to summarise the main points of Locke’s argument below, before proceeding to an analysis of his meaning – and his significance.

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding : summary

Locke begins the Essay by arguing against the earlier rationalist idea (propounded by Descartes among others) that ideas can be innate within the human mind. For Locke, when babies are born their minds are empty: a notion which he famously calls the tabula rasa (literally, ‘blank slate’). Human minds are like a blank sheet of paper when we’re born, and everything that ends up in them is supplied by experience.

This signals Locke’s adherence to empiricism over rationalism: rather than believing knowledge and ideas about the world are in-built within us by nature, he believes that ideas are acquired from external stimuli, from us going out there into the world and being exposed to things.

Book II develops this idea in more detail. Experience is the bedrock of all human knowledge. We don’t inherently ‘know’ things: we learn about things as we experience them. This is a bit like a ‘nurture over nature’ view. There are two routes to knowledge via experience: sensation and reflection . Sensation is about coming into contact with the external world, whereas reflection comes from introspection, or from reflecting on what we have experienced.

Book III proposes an idea later developed in more depth by Immanuel Kant: that we cannot ever know true reality, only our perception of it. And our perception of reality is necessarily subjective: you don’t have precisely the same experience of the world as I do. It is also in Book III that Locke attempts to apply his empiricist approach to language.

Book IV appears, on the face of it, to contradict what Locke had set out to argue: namely, that empiricism rather than rationalism is the correct way to view knowledge. But he is actually arguing that, once we adopt an empirical mindset, we are then able to draw a rationalist conclusion of the world from that experience.

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding : analysis

The twentieth-century philosopher Isaiah Berlin once suggested that John Locke effectively invented the idea of common sense in matters of philosophy, and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding is certainly a powerful defence of the importance of an empiricist outlook, whereby we trust our own senses and experiences rather than simply assuming things to be innately true and unquestionable. Bertrand Russell made a similar claim about Locke’s book.

What this means is that Locke’s contribution to philosophy lies partly in his emphasis on the importance of experience in forming our ideas and values. Empiricism places the emphasis on our own sensory understanding of the world (what is now sometimes called ‘lived experience’, to offer a broader term).

This means that we trust our own senses rather than some innate knowledge we come pre-programmed with at birth. How do we know right from wrong? Locke would argue that we have to learn what ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ mean in order to know that.

Locke is, of course, right to emphasise the importance of experience in forming our knowledge of the world. But, in his determination to oppose the rationalist approach touted by Spinoza, Descartes, and others, does he take things too far in the other direction?

There are many moral philosophers who would argue that we do have an innate sense of right and wrong which is present at birth, even if we’re too young to act on it as soon as we leave the womb. Evolutionary biologists would argue that we wouldn’t have got as far as we have as a species without this in-built sense of morality, among other things.

There are other aspects of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding which critics have argued are too reductive. Although our own experience is obviously important in shaping our view of the world, few would go so far as Locke and argue that it’s the only significant factor.

For one thing, our experience of the world is just too different: a man living in a secluded monastery in Yorkshire is unlikely to arrive at the same ‘knowledge’ of the world as a midwife working in London. Locke grants that our experiences will necessarily be subjective, but where does that leave us when considering supposedly self-evident or universal truths, such as ‘killing is wrong’ or ‘do unto others as you would have them to do you’?

Nevertheless, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding is an important book, not least because it was a milestone in philosophy and would act as the foundation for the work of many philosophers who came after Locke.

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[WEEK 6] ESSAY 12: Theme – Life is a long journey between Human beings & being humane. | BRAINSTORMING ON ETHICS & ESSAY (BEE) by Sunil Oberoi Sir

June 26, 2021

Ethics and Essay

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BEE is a FREE ONLINE (YOUTUBE) initiative, exclusively for Essay and Ethics curated by IASbaba’s renowned faculty member, Shri Sunil Oberoi Sir (former IAS Officer) .

The Twelfth essay focuses on the theme, ” .

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Life is a long journey between human being and being humane

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light” ~NELSON MANDELA

Human beings or homo sapiens are the most advanced and dominant creature present on earth. They are different from all other creatures on the basis of psychological level, speaking skills, voluntary actions and making things using their mind. on the other hand ‘being humane’ is a trait possessed by human beings. It means being compassionate, responsible and caring for the world around including animals and other creatures. Being humane is a virtue that develops in many years, it is not at all inherited. We are born humans but being humane is a choice.

Human beings can act upon nature to create a new world to fulfil their needs and desires. They have the ability to change the world. The world is experiencing developments in every field now and then making it more comfortable to live in. Humans have made a lot of changes to the earth using their minds. All the man-made things that make life much more comfortable, all technological development like machines, aeroplanes, use of solar and thermal energy etc.

Humans have the capability to turn almost everything into an opportunity to create something useful out of it. Scientists have reached almost every part of the world, even they have reached other planets by means of satellite, for example, mission mangalyan sent to mars. We are seeing development done by humans from the time when early man used to exist. They created fire, made weapons using rocks, agriculture etc. This kind of developments kept happening and we are in the 21st century with a lot many technological developments. Example- ships, cars, electronics, satellite, rocket, machines in industries, power plants and whatnot.

These developments are very good until they cause harm to the environment and other humans. Humans are exploiting nature for their own greed. Global warming, water pollution, deforestation, air pollution are some of the major problems caused due to environmental exploitation.

Not only the environment but other humans are also exploited in this race of development, workers are underpaid and forced to do work that is hazardous for their health and skin. Development by a human doesn’t necessarily mean human development. with experience only we understand what is right or wrong and what really contributes to human growth and development. It is rare to find a human being who is compassionate and kind by birth. Being humane is a virtue. It takes many years of hard work to be human. Being humane is a journey of sensible steps taken by human beings. Being on this journey our primary objective is to take care of our actions which means to see how our actions affect others, They shouldn’t intrude in a person’s life and shouldn’t harm their sentiments. So whatever we do, it needs to be thought and then done. For example, if our aim is to become rich anyhow, we don’t mind others becoming poor. There is no harm in becoming rich but if we are kind-hearted, we will look for the growth of others too. Virtuous deeds can’t be performed without a true understanding of life which wè experience as we live.

Being humane creates a sense of responsibility in an individual. It leads to inclusive growth. In today’s world of selfishness being humane maintains a balance. Being humane is to understand the positive value of every being and respect it.

Life is a long journey of good and bad experiences in the world around us. We should learn from our mistakes and improve them, keep the good work going and grow in real terms, help others to have a better life and give respect to moral values and contribute to making this world a better place to live in.

i am very fulfilled by reading this essay. you gave such wonderful explanation .easy to understand difference between human being and being humani wi...

sir your answer was tooo satisfying my conscience a big thanks to you sir

sir this was fabulous answer

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What does it mean to be humane?

Confusion and misunderstanding often occur when two people attempt to communicate using two different languages.

Confusion and misunderstanding often occur when two people attempt tocommunicate using two different languages.

More commonly, confusion arises when two people attempt to communicateusing the same language, but are attaching a different meaning to what appearsto be a universally accepted term.

Definitions

With this thought in mind, how would you define the term "humane"?Can you state with a clear conscience that in your role as a provider ofveterinary care that you are humane?

The term "humane" encompasses the best qualities of mankind.Examples of these qualities cited in Webster's Dictionary include kindness,tenderness and being considerate. Empathy and compassion could readily beadded to this list of examples.

Whereas animals cannot act in a humane fashion, human beings can showtenderness, compassion and other humane qualities to other human and animalbeings.

Behavior that is inhumane is lacking in compassion for the sufferingof humans and animals. Synonyms of the term "inhumane" cited inWebster's Dictionary include unkindness and cruelty. In context of thisdiscussion, a veterinary staff member (or owner) who deliberately choosesto disregard available means to reduce injury or illness of an animal underhis or her care could be thought of as inhumane or, in some circumstances,even cruel.

What is cruelty?

How would you define the term "cruelty"? Webster's Dictionarydefinition of cruelty encompasses actions that are inhumane and withoutpity. The term pity encompasses having compassion for the suffering, distressor troubles of another. By definition, cruelty appears to be an act or motivationlimited to mankind.

Whether an act is cruel depends not only on the act, but also on whyor how it was done (e.g. what was the intent of the act?) It is of interestthat one of the first anticruelty laws established in the USA was designedto protect animals (New York State Legislature, Anticruelty Act of 1828,Section 28).

The term "welfare" signifies a state of being or doing well.The concept of animal welfare has been traditionally founded on the premisethat humans have an obligation to act humanely toward animals.

In context of this essay, animal welfare problems are most likely toencompass acts of omission rather than deliberate acts of cruelty.

Return to the theme question, "What does it mean to be humane?"Is there connection between being humane and the diagnosis and treatmentof various diseases that affect animals? Although the answer to this questioncould fill a book, consider two applications that are presented in the formof questions.

Am I striving to provide the type of care that I would choose ifI were this patient?

Based on knowledge of my own skill and experience, and the availabilityof support staff and equipment, would I consent to my proposed plan of diagnosticand therapeutic action if I were in this patient's exact situation? Whatdiagnostic and/or therapeutic goals are likely to be achieved? In all probabilitywill the overall benefits of this plan of action justify the associatedrisks and costs?

In providing care for my patients, have procedures been designedto avoid or minimize discomfort, distress and pain?

Unless the contrary has been established, veterinary staff members shouldconsider that diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that cause pain discomfort,distress or pain in human beings may cause the same in animals.

Therefore, is there agreement by all concerned that procedures that causemore than momentary discomfort, distress or pain will be performed withthe aid of appropriate sedation, analgesia or anesthesia? What approachto discomfort would I choose if I were in this patient's exact situation?

The extent to which we are humane can only be measured by the actionit prompts. To this end, we should take the initiative to put ourselvesin others' shoes, paws, hooves or claws, so we can help them as we wouldwant to be helped.

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Insights Weekly Essay Challenges 2021 – Week 05: Life is long journey between human being and being humane

Insights weekly essay challenges 2021 – week 05.

10 January 2021

Write an essay on the following topic in not more than 1000-1200 words:

“ Life is long journey between human being and being humane ”

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Life is a Long Journey between Human Being and being Humane

Home » Blog » Life is a Long Journey between Human Being and being Humane

God created human beings in his own image and they were created with a purpose, not only to be uniquely autonomous, but to be professionally different. The purpose in mind was that every human– being was supposed to be an instrument of God’s image carrier who could take care of the universe and tend to the created potential around them as a co-partnered project; in other words, ‘being humane.’ All human beings are asked to work together as one human family to make this creation as wonderful as possible. But we usually find our failure to live up to our designed intentions on our self-discovery priorities. We entrust our image to other idols, such as money, power, sex, success, comfort, happiness, etc. The idols that we give power to, whether physical or not, rob us of our human nature.

The inevitable quality of life is an existence that separates it from being alive, because the ‘way of life’ is different than the ‘having life’. The way of life involves the process of doing something; something that is done or felt and thought in response to a condition; forming an idea of the extent of the thing experienced; the gradual development of an object; awareness and response to one’s surroundings; identifying what sets certain beings apart and why they exist; understanding the specific types and aspects that frustrate maintaining balance; and the sense of being. In doing so, the way of life determines the way and future of living beings.

In the journey from the birth of man to that, there must be a guiding power to meet with the Supreme Divinity. This guiding force is necessary so that a person’s life does not deviate from its quiet path. Or, in other words, instead of chaos and disorder in human life, we have peace and serenity in this world. There are many divine qualities in this world that can serve as a guiding mantra in this regard. Of these, being human or possessing the qualities that make a person human is paramount.

The dividing line between human beings and at the same time, being human should be guided by a calm and beautiful mind. It is the calm mind of the person that can make a human being human. Human qualities cannot be classified into tight parts of water. Anything that stimulates a person’s intellect and his whole personality can be classified as human. Thus, a person may be unaware of the three aspects of life i.e., ‘reading, writing and arithmetic’, but at the same time he may be human in nature. In that sense, an ignorant mind can certainly be a mind possessing the divine qualities of this world.

Human refers to a member of the Homo sapiens species that differs from most animals in that it has high standards of psychological development, fluent and consistent speaking ability, the way it sits and stands, and the way things are made or caused. Humans can work on nature to create a new world to fulfill all their desires and wishes. There is force in human action to change the laws of nature. Human beings are endowed with the divine grace to bring into existence any abstract existence, quality or concept. They have the ability to make heaven or hell the planet on which life exists.

Individuals or Homo sapiens are the most extraordinary and main animal present on earth. They are not like other animals in terms of mental level, ability to speak, intentional activities and creating things using their mind. Then again ‘explanation’ is a quality inspired by people. He is empathetic, capable and really focused on the world around him, including creatures and various animals. Being empathetic is an honesty that builds up over the years, not achieving it at all. Being philanthropic is a decision even though we people are imagining it.

People can follow nature to create another world to satisfy their needs and desires. They can change the world. The world is facing progress in every field sometimes making it more convenient to live. People have made many changes on earth using their brains. Everything man-made that makes life significantly more convenient, all innovative advances such as machines, planes, solar-based use and nuclear power etc.

The whole process of becoming human is in the grip of life. Therefore, who we are, how and where we are, in terms of the way of life, is controlled by the whole concept of radar “life”. There are people in this world unless the radar of this life is connected to the human body, mind and soul. Regardless of whether there are people, they are declared as centenarians. Right. Human existence is sacred, the beginning and the end of life are in the hands of the Almighty. In this sense, the process of giving birth to a child is only one tool for the whole process of the beginning of human life. Therefore, for most people, mortal qualities, such as ego, arrogance, greed, and extreme thirst for worldly pleasures, should not dominate the qualities of the divine life.

Life is a constant, human being on one end and humanity on the other, a journey in between. Throughout this journey human beings interact in the social, political, economic and environmental spheres of their lives and develop into humanity by learning from their experiences and cultivating humanity in themselves. Human beings need to be carved into humanity so that they can emerge as wealth in the material as well as in the natural spheres of their lives.

Human qualities such as kindness, forgiveness or any other divine qualities that elevate a person’s personality to the best can be classified as being human. Here at this moment, we need to think about what is the meeting point between a human being and a person with human qualities at the same time. The answer in this context is that we humans have a view of our own lives. This view should be full of actions that enrich human qualities. In the long run, humanity must prosper. Thus, human qualities should be like a spinning wheel that spins the entire generation of humanity and turns it towards a ray of hope in the time to come. Human qualities should enrich humanity in particular, as a source of companionship, joy and moral upliftment.

The desire to respect the existence of others, to accept of the universal and natural truth, to be responsible for the world around, considerate of the substance which gives the essential meaning to something, ability of understanding the sufferings and misfortunes of others, to do away with inflicting any pain, and to put a civilizing effect on with whom or which we have direct or indirect involvement, make humans humane. When human beings have or show these qualities, each or every one of us receives human treatment. These qualities are the efforts that seek the best in people to achieve. This is a very time-consuming series of changes related to human development.

This same fact is key in the journey of human life. If, however, human life is a chaotic journey, being human should act as a publisher of the path. The publisher of this path acts as a source of peace and tranquility in the life of mankind. While being human in this world will be the guiding mantra of all, it will show its effect on our beautiful world. Human qualities guide man from the path of immorality to the path of virtue. Thus, when this word is drawn to the path of truth in the life of every person, peace and harmony in our world will surely become the order of the day. This fact reaffirms the fact that ‘life is a long journey between man and humanity’.

Humans as social animals can be an asset or even a threat to their natural and physical environment depending on the ‘way of life’ they adopt. Human life that is dedicated to achieving sustainability and not excellence; which uses innovative and creative skills for construction and not for destruction; one who strives for the greater good, not just narrow personal interest and associates personal interest with social interest is a life aware of humanistic qualities like compassion, empathy, integration, coexistence. Humans begin to live this life when they understand what the essence of humanity is and thus emerge as humanity.

It is rare to find a kind, benevolent and compassionate human being from birth. Being humane is a virtue. Cultivating any virtue takes many years of hard work, or usually a lifetime of effort, to bring it into practice, as the world is extremely dynamic, characterized by constant irrelevant and unequal changes. Circumstances in such a world compel man to make a mistake, although he is not necessarily as bad as man. In fact, ‘being human’ involves living with the best qualities of mankind, for example, warmth.

Is ‘being human’ ‘being humane’? With the characteristic of anthropoids, humans can become much less human than being human. We feel that the human side reflects the better qualities of human being, but what we experience more is the state of being human. The state of being human is the thing that all human beings live, because it is about natural human nature. Only collective enlightenment can make human nature equal to or equal to human understanding and values. Human nature is not far from humanity. It is a journey of prudent steps that should be in large numbers and wisely chosen over time.

This journey of prudent steps, first of all, takes into account the process of doing something, which means our actions. How our actions affect others should be our primary objective and should be taken care of while performing them. They should not intrude on a person’s respectable life and adversely affect inter-generational and intragenerative equity. So, whatever we do, we need to do or feel and think in response to a situation that makes the world more alive. Human development does not necessarily mean human development. Only through experience do we understand what is true or false and what really contributes to human development and advancement.

Our perception forms the idea of the extent of something experienced and we believe, understand and interpret it in a certain way. If our goal is to become rich in any way, we don’t mind if our other people become poor because of our intense desire. There is no harm in being rich, but if we are kind, we will definitely take others along. No luck works here, this is tough and there is a value of unity about the gradual development of human treatment. Without a true understanding of life, the virtuous deeds we do cannot be done.

‘Take advantage’, ‘have advantage’, ‘in benefit’, or ‘for our benefit’ weakens and reduces the awareness and response around us. We fail to recognize what sets certain beings apart and why. The needy and deprived people of the society should be uplifted so that they can enjoy the same standard of living or rights which are properly prevalent. This calls for sacrifice by other members of society who are in a better or more advantageous position. A person with empathy cannot find sacrifice by sacrificing something valuable, but that person considers it mandatory to establish peace in the community. This response comes with maturity, experience and wisdom.

When we understand and accept that everything that the creator of the universe has created is for the essence of natural balance it is human. A compassionate and humane approach strengthens this natural balance. We understand and respect the positive value of every living thing. The journey of a meaningful life takes a long time to firmly establish the three-dimensionality of being human, involving the care, concern and consideration of ‘deserving’ people.

Life is a long journey in which we experience the world around us, understand its intricacies, learn from our mistakes, move beyond identity, develop realistic visions, help others live better lives, value the life around us and have great respect for moral merit. This is how a human being goes through what it takes to become a human being, where the state of being human which starts from birth and continues throughout the life develops with the development of this way of life, as this development progresses, this state is accompanied by the quality of humanity.

Ayushi Nadar

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Life is a long journey between human being to being humane

Being Humane means transformation from an individual to the person who is not only being able to look things from others perspective and but also able to show benevolence and compassion with respect to other. Historical evolution of human was from ape to Homo sapiens. Early man was just like animal, hunting for food, not familiar with many values of present day society. Values are the major difference in a person while going along the journey of life. Each experience, each step we take adds or deletes or modifies our value system accordingly, to make us better, a true person. The journey of a human begins from birth of a baby from a mother’s womb. At this stage Human being is no different from any other living being on Earth, driven by hunger, sleep etc. As we grow, a human develops in many other aspects, attains values - both positive and negative such as – love, compassion, empathy (positive) and selfishness, dishonesty, greed (negative) etc. A typical human being passes through most of these phases to become a real “human”. Ancient Indian literature, specifically speak about the life journey between human being to being humane through Purushartha, which literally means “an object of human pursuit”. It is a key concept in Hinduism, and refers to the four proper goals or aims of a human life. The four puruá¹£Ärthas are Dharma (righteousness, moral values), Artha (prosperity, economic values), Kama (pleasure, love, psychological values) and Moksha (liberation, spiritual values). While human being focuses on Artha and Kama more in initial years while following Dharma throughout, the focus shifts to attaining Moksha through the phase of “being humane” or truly becoming a human. Lives of many present day industrialists who are doing great deal of charity can be sited under this example – such as, Shri. Azim Premji, Shri. Ratan Tata and Mr. Bill Gates. Our surroundings, parents, teachers, individuality everything place a role in making us a true human. Based on these, some people might go through this transition faster and sooner than others. For example, people like Gautama Buddha, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi have seen the journey of this life time soon so that they could live as “being humane” for most of their part. Their journey did not only make them human, but also helped millions others to become true persons. Few very important values which are common in these great people are – empathy, compassion, truth and non-violence. Hence it can be inferred that, these values are crucial in “being humane.” We cannot define a single set of cardinal values which make a person a true “human”. Each person has different way of choosing. For example, during COVID-crisis many people argued for saving lives is the primacy and supported for long state imposed lock downs. Whereas other set of people argued for saving livelihoods of many migrant workers and MSMEs is utmost important and asked for earliest revival economy. Both are equally correct and equally wrong. An efficient human will choose a middle path and try to do justice for both economic and social aspects of human life, minimizing negative impact of choosing one on the other. These human values are also temporal in nature i.e change with respect to time. For example, from the beginning of evolution of human life -till late 20th century, man mainly focused on bettering human life (both for himself and others) to become a true human. In this process he destroyed the bio-system around him. De-forestation, many species becoming extinct, global warming and climate change all are the result of narrow focus of human on growth alone. Now the repercussions of this damage are being felt by us also. Hence now is the time to realize this and incorporate the value of safeguarding biodiversity also as one of the human-values. Human being is nothing but a flesh and bones at birth, to becoming a complete man, who influences lives of many by the end of his life. Every person teacher, cobbler, carpenter, business man, bureaucrat, politician – has a role to play in our society. Each person, irrespective of economic prowess, power, and knowledge becomes a true human – if in his life time he could make even if a single person’s life better, without making any other’s life worst. Such influence of a person may vary, but at the level of humanity, everyone is equal. This long life journey is nothing but transition from human being to being humane. Declaration: The content of the essay is solely according to my knowledge and is not copied from anywhere

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Assisted Suicide: A Right or a Wrong?
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Assisted Suicide

A right or a wrong.

Is assisted suicide right or wrong? The issue is looked at through many perspectives and arguments.

Matthew Donnelly loved life. But Matthew Donnelly wanted to die. For the past thirty years, Matthew had conducted research on the use of X-rays. Now, skin cancer riddled his tortured body. He had lost his nose, his left hand, two fingers on his right hand, and part of his jaw. He was left blind and was slowly deteriorating. The pain was unrelenting. Doctors estimated that he had a year to live. Lying in bed with teeth clenched from the excruciating pain, he pleaded to be put out of his misery. Matthew wanted to die now. His pleas went unanswered. Then, one day, Matthew's brother Harold, unable to ignore Matthew's repeated cry, removed a .30 caliber pistol from his dresser drawer, walked to the hospital, and shot and killed his brother. Harold was tried for murder.

Rapid and dramatic developments in medicine and technology have given us the power to save more lives than was ever possible in the past. Medicine has put at our disposal the means to cure or to reduce the suffering of people afflicted with diseases that were once fatal or painful. At the same time, however, medical technology has given us the power to sustain the lives (or, some would say, prolong the deaths) of patients whose physical and mental capabilities cannot be restored, whose degenerating conditions cannot be reversed, and whose pain cannot be eliminated. As medicine struggles to pull more and more people away from the edge of death, the plea that tortured, deteriorated lives be mercifully ended grows louder and more frequent. Californians are now being asked to support an initiative, entitled the Humane and Dignified Death Act, that would allow a physician to end the life of a terminally ill patient upon the request of the patient, pursuant to properly executed legal documents. Under present law, suicide is not a crime, but assisting in suicide is. Whether or not we as a society should pass laws sanctioning "assisted suicide" has generated intense moral controversy.

Supporters of legislation legalizing assisted suicide claim that all persons have a moral right to choose freely what they will do with their lives as long as they inflict no harm on others. This right of free choice includes the right to end one's life when we choose. For most people, the right to end one's life is a right they can easily exercise But there are many who want to die, but whose disease, handicap, or condition renders them unable to end their lives in a dignified manner. When such people ask for assistance in exercising their right to die, their wishes should be respected.

Furthermore, it is argued, we ourselves have an obligation to relieve the suffering of our fellow human beings and to respect their dignity. Lying in our hospitals today are people afflicted with excruciatingly painful and terminal conditions and diseases that have left them permanently incapable of functioning in any dignified human fashion. They can only look forward to lives filled with yet more suffering, degradation, and deterioration. When such people beg for a merciful end to their pain and indignity, it is cruel and inhumane to refuse their pleas. Compassion demands that we comply and cooperate.

Those who oppose any measures permitting assisted suicide argue that society has a moral duty to protect and to preserve all life. To allow people to assist others in destroying their lives violates a fundamental duty we have to respect human life. A society committed to preserving and protecting life should not commission people to destroy it.

Further, opponents of assisted suicide claim that society has a duty to oppose legislation that poses a threat to the lives of innocent persons. And, laws that sanction assisted suicide inevitably will pose such a threat. If assisted suicide is allowed on the basis of mercy or compassion, what will keep us from "assisting in" and perhaps actively urging, the death of anyone whose life we deem worthless or undesirable? What will keep the inconvenienced relatives of a patient from persuading him or her to "voluntarily" ask for death? What will become of people who, once having signed a request to die, later change their minds, but, because of their conditions, are unable to make their wishes known? And, once we accept that only life of a certain quality is worth living, where will we stop? When we devalue one life, we devalue all lives. Who will speak for the severely handicapped infant or the senile woman?

Finally, it is argued that sanctioning assisted suicide would violate the rights of others. Doctors and nurses might find themselves "pressured" to cooperate in a patient's suicide. In order to satisfy the desires of a patient wanting to die, it's unjust to demand that others go against their own deeply held convictions.

The case for assisted suicide is a powerful one--appealing to our capacity for compassion and an obligation to support individual choice and self determination. But, the case against assisted suicide is also powerful for it speaks to us of a fundamental reverence for life and the risk of hurling down a slippery slope toward a diminished respect for life. With legislation in the offing, we're compelled to choose which values are most important and to cast our vote.

This article was originally published in Issues in Ethics - V. 1, N.1 Fall 1987

Bainbridge Humane Society brings new opportunities with new facility

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WALB) - After months of struggling in a deteriorating building that was impacting animal service, the Bainbridge Humane Society has finally settled into a new facility.

The new shelter is already at full capacity. Right now, there are 150 cats and dogs without homes.

“We are already maxed out and we have an average intake of 10 to 12 dogs a day,” said Dennie Nichols, Bainbridge Humane Society president.

The new 11,000-square-foot facility has more space for the staff to care for pets in need. A new drainage system is also preventing flooding, an issue the staff was used to in the old building.

A sign hanging in the lobby pf the Humane Society encourages visitors to adopt.

Nichols said the new facility comes at the perfect time as they continue tackling a pet overflow crisis.

“Your heart breaks for the ones you didn’t save. You say a prayer every night for them and you apologize that mankind let them down because there’s not an animal in this building that’s not a responsibility of a human,” she said.

For the pets, playtime has been enhanced with more roaming options inside and outside the facility.

“It makes their life better while they’re waiting for their forever home. We’re just very very grateful to have this facility for our employees and our community,” Nichols said.

The humane society is located on808 Zorn Road in Bainbridge.

The new building is something city and county leaders said they fully support. The city just signed an agreement with the humane society to take on responsibilities for the operations of the shelter.

Kregg Close, city of Bainbridge Mayor Pro Tem, said there’s still work to be done to fix a stray animal issue throughout the community.

“Our community is a lot safer with free-roaming animals and I think we’ll do a great job with getting these animals adopted,” Close said.

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How to Write the Santa Clara University Essays 2020-2021

We’ve updated this post! Read the 2021-2022 Santa Clara essay guide .

Located on a beautiful 106-acre campus in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University combines Jesuit values with the pursuit of technological innovation. Founded in 1851, Santa Clara is comprised of three undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the Leavey School of Business. In total, more than 50 majors and minors are offered across the three schools. Santa Clara encourages students to seek academic excellence while searching for truth, goodness, and beauty through the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.

With an 11:1 faculty ratio, Santa Clara’s approximately 5,500 undergraduate students are able to experience small class sizes and receive individualized assistance from professors . Additionally, undergraduate students are given the opportunity to gain first-hand research experience. These opportunities prepare students for future internships and careers. In fact, because of their close proximity to campus, companies such as Google, Apple, NVIDIA, and Cisco often recruit students from Santa Clara.

Santa Clara also has 20 Division I sports teams as well as 17 club teams. These teams offer Santa Clara’s students the opportunity to pursue both their academic interests and athletic aspirations.

In addition to its undergraduate schools, Santa Clara has several graduate schools ranging from the School of Law to the Jesuit School of Theology. These schools provide Santa Clara students with opportunities to potentially extend their education beyond their undergraduate experience.

Santa Clara University is ranked #54 by U.S. News and World Report and had an acceptance rate of 50% for the Class of 2024. As with many other schools, your supplemental essays are an excellent way to demonstrate your interest in Santa Clara and make your application stand out to admissions officers.

In this post, we’ll discuss how to write strong supplemental essays to improve your chances of acceptance. Want to know your chances at Santa Clara? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Santa Clara University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 1: Briefly describe what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara University. If you have had the opportunity to visit campus or experienced Santa Clara virtually, please share your impression of SCU. (100-200 words)

Prompt 2: Driven by the Jesuit values outlined in our mission statement, Santa Clara University promises to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. We strive to cultivate knowledge and faith to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world. How do you plan to live out and implement these values in your own life to create a more equitable society? (150-300 words)

Briefly describe what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara University. If you have had the opportunity to visit campus or experienced Santa Clara virtually, please share your impression of SCU. (100-200 words)

Santa Clara’s first prompt falls under the common “ Why This College? ” category. In order to fully answer this prompt, you need to describe not only the reasons for your application, but also your impression of Santa Clara. Since you have a limit of only 200 words, it is important that you focus your essay on the aspects of Santa Clara that appeal most to you.

The first step in answering this prompt is to do your research; the school’s website is a great starting point. What clubs, activities, classes, organizations, or programs really pique your interest?

Refrain from mentioning general aspects of the school that could apply to many other colleges. Dive deeper! For instance, rather than saying you like SCU for their business program, say you want to engage in the Initiative for Women’s Economic Empowerment (IWEE), whose goal is to “ accelerate economic empowerment of women leaders in Silicon Valley, STEM disciplines, and in the developing world as social entrepreneurs.”

Be sure to also connect the resource you mention to your personal goals. Anyone can name unique SCU resources, but you want to underline who these opportunities support your ambitions. For the above example, a student who has campaigned to address women’s unpaid labor would be a natural fit with that resource.

Next, take some time to reflect on Santa Clara’s values and why they appeal to you. Take time to read Santa Clara’s mission, vision, and values on their website and ask yourself these questions:

Which of these values speak most to me?
Why am I a good fit for Santa Clara’s community?
How will these values contribute to my education and college experience?

While you don’t need to deliberately answer each of these questions in your essay, it is important to consider them when crafting your response to this prompt. Maybe you were very involved in the Jesuit church in your hometown and want to continue exploring your Catholic identity in college. Or, perhaps Santa Clara’s commitment to students and engaged learning will allow you to thrive off having close connections with specific professors whose research you’re interested in. Or, maybe you’re passionate about technology and Santa Clara’s devotion to innovation will enable you to continue pursuing your passion for a particular technological niche. Remember to use the values you pick, whatever they may be, as opportunities to connect yourself with Santa Clara’s community.

Lastly, you need to share your impression of Santa Clara based on the experiences you’ve had with the campus. Whether they were virtual or in person, this is the place to include any notable experiences you’ve had with Santa Clara students or faculty. While avoiding the general discussion of information sessions or campus tours, you should certainly discuss a memorable conversation, class, meeting, or experience you had either virtually or in person.

Not only should you discuss the memorable event or experience, but also how it shaped your view of Santa Clara. For instance, your discussion with a tour guide about her positive experience with small classes in the philosophy department left you with the impression that Santa Clara prioritizes effective learning environments for their students. Whatever your experiences have been, be sure to connect them to an aspect of Santa Clara that appeals to you!

Driven by the Jesuit values outlined in our mission statement, Santa Clara University promises to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. We strive to cultivate knowledge and faith to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world. How do you plan to live out and implement these values in your own life to create a more equitable society? (150-300 words)

In this prompt, you are being asked to connect your own values with those of Santa Clara. By creating this connection, you are demonstrating to the admissions officers that you belong on Santa Clara’s campus and that you would be a great fit for their community.

Before you even start writing, revisit Santa Clara’s mission, vision, and values as well as their Jesuit Catholic Tradition . Then, make a list of two to three of the values that you feel apply most to your life. Maybe Santa Clara’s belief that “everyone is welcome” resonates with you. Or, perhaps you are drawn to Santa Clara’s combination of morals and ethics with academics. Or, maybe you are community-driven and relate to Santa Clara’s commitment to serving others. It does not matter which values you choose to focus on; just keep in mind that you will need to connect them to your own life.

The next step in answering this prompt is to discuss how you have already implemented Santa Clara’s values in your own life. For instance, maybe you’ve implemented the values of fairness and inclusivity through your volunteer work for the National Organization for Women. While it is important to describe the way you implement Santa Clara’s values, it is equally important to explain how you have used them to create a more equitable society. Continuing with the example above, volunteering for the National Organization for Women allows you to advocate for feminism and eliminate gender-based discrimination in order to promote equality for women.

You may feel you don’t have an elaborate example of how you have exemplified Santa Clara’s values in the past; however, even the most simple examples will work. No one is expecting you to have initiated national or even state-wide change — you just need to demonstrate how you have made an effort to promote these values in your local environment. For example, you can certainly explain how you embrace Santa Clara’s value of sustainability by the educational campaign you created on composting for your school.

Lastly, you need to discuss how you plan to continue implementing Santa Clara’s values in your own life. In this portion of your essay, it is important to not only address your bigger-picture goals, but also how you’ll work to create a more equitable society at Santa Clara. Research the social justice movements, clubs, community service opportunities, and organizations that exist on Santa Clara’s campus or in the surrounding area. For instance, a student focused on compassion and serving others might join Santa Clara’s Camp Kesem, which provides children who have parents diagnosed with cancer a “supportive, lifelong camp community that recognizes and understands their unique needs.”

Conclude your response with a future-facing sentiment that explains how you plan to use these values after graduating from SCU. Perhaps you plan to implement the value in your future career, or the way you parent. This final detail should be integrated with your previous statements about how you live out this value, and provide the closure necessary to round out your essay.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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How to Write the Santa Clara University Essays 2020-2021

Santa Clara University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Briefly describe what prompted you to apply to Santa Clara University. If you have had the opportunity to visit campus or experienced Santa Clara virtually, please share your impression of SCU. (100-200 words)