Chapter 1 Human Dignity: The Basis for Human Rights
What it means to be human
Learning outcome 1.1
Students should be able to discuss what it means to be human and to live in a community with rights and responsibilities.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a human being is a man, woman or child of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished from other animals by: ● having superior mental development ● being able to speak clearly ● and having upright stance.
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that:
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Exercise 1A Understanding how human behaviours can be shared by other species
Key Skills Success criteria
I can name similarities and diff erences between human and animal behaviour.
Working in pairs, discuss whether each of the following statements is true or false (you will probably have to guess some of the answers).
Statement
1. Human teeth are as strong as shark teeth. 2. Humans are the only species that can blush. 3. Only humans can paint pictures and explain what they have painted. 4. Humans are the only creatures that can recognise themselves in a mirror. 5. Only humans can make and use tools. 6. Humans are the only animal that respond to being tickled. 7. Humans are the animals with the longest childhood. 8. Humans are the best animals at long-distance running. 9. Humans are the only animals that understand fairness. 10. Humans are the most advanced animal.