The stubbornly
absurd belief that human beings are superior to non-human life forms has
its basis, primarily, in religious doctrine -- a man made creation. A
catastrophically destructive bias which has been passed down through the
millennia, but has no bearing in fact.
Our species believes it's above
intellectual scrutiny, when comparing itself to other species, even
though not a single shred of evidence exists to confirm our superiority.
As such, man continues to blind himself to the vastness of his own
ignorance and stupidity; squandering any real opportunities for learning
and growth as they pertain to our species' proper place within the
ecosystem.
An apple is not superior to an orange, they are DIFFERENT. Yet we place a
rat next to a man and proclaim the man the winner. Based on what
criteria? The fact that the human has a physical advantage due to his
size, and possesses the ability to destroy the rat at will? This type of
comparison has nothing to do with the intellect nor the innate value of
either subject. Yet, such hopelessly unfair standards are typical
within the minds of speciesists.
Speciesism is the most prevalent, poisonous and silent prejudice of all because it is a universally accepted evil; a concept existing without proof or merit. Progressives with their various issues, i.e, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia...etc., are all guilty of participating in the heinous blindness associated with the silent holocaust of speciesism, because humanism is their sole focus. If there is any credibility to be had in such movements, one cannot fight for the rights of one group to the exclusion of others, and call it morally and ethically just. It is hypocrisy.
There is obvious proof we are physically different from non-humans, but no evidence whatsoever that we are superior. Quite the opposite. Here's why.
Instinct is the key. Instinct = innate intelligence. This form of intellect, in which non-humans have an overwhelming advantage in comparison to humans, is superior to the learned variety, because it is flawless in its absolute correctness.
Humans are born, for the most part, as a blank slate. They must be taught, from birth, nearly everything they know via parental/societal instruction and observation. A very flawed and inadequate way to build one's intellectual foundation, because misinformation and erroneous beliefs are perpetually passed on, and it is only after much trial and error -- usually requiring many generations -- that truths are hard won.
A universal example of the collective ignorance humans continuously face as a species, is the 'flat Earth' scenario. How many centuries passed before this commonly accepted falsehood was dispelled? How many millions of similar examples exist today, flourishing as truth, that will ultimately be exposed as just plain wrong? The unfounded belief in human superiority is one of the biggest.
The learning process for humanity is excruciatingly slow and fraught with ignorance, superstition and stupidity. Stumbling blocks which the rest of nature is not burdened with, since they are born intellectually perfect. Their innate knowledge is immediate and flawless.
We are severely handicapped by the fact that we have little in the way of instinctual intelligence. We are disadvantaged and yes, even 'inferior' to non-humans because of our slow learning curve. We must LEARN to walk, communicate and think -- skills which are instantaneous in most non-humans.
They have near God-like capabilities which humans have only begun to discover, let alone appreciate. Here are but a few widely recognized examples:
How can a dog sniff out cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and an ongoing list of other diseases? How do canines, dropped thousands of miles from nowhere, find their way back home?
How does a flock of birds reverse direction in perfect synchronicity? Why can non-humans immediately recognize poisonous plants, nuts, seeds, etc., while humans cannot. What human can build shelter, find food and fend off predators without decades of instruction? One could write volumes giving examples of non-human feats of superiority.
And what is wrong with us that we discount such amazing abilities? Because these incredible individuals are simply born with them and we are not? Bias regarding their physical differences from us? Ingrained, speciesist, religious prejudice?
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