The Uniqueness of Human Beings

            In 1859, Charles Darwin published his famous research, "The Origin of Species".1 His findings brought rise to the theory of evolution, inferring that humans came from lower forms of life. It is safe to say that if this is true, the organism that which humans rose from would share some traits with humans. Which brings rise to this question, is human nature distinct from other forms of life? In order to answer this question, the term "human nature" must first be defined. Webster dictionary defines it as "the nature of humans; especially: the fundamental disposition and traits of humans."2 Response to death, communal nature, collaboration, the ability to create, and the ability to appreciate beauty are all traits of many that's can be used to prove aspects of human nature are shared by other animals.
             Humans, as a species, have practiced death rituals for hundreds of years. In the Jewish community, a member of the chevra kadisha, a holy society that prepares and protects the bodies of those who have passed away, stays with the body reciting scripture from the bible. In Tibet, many of the indigenous people practice sky burial, jhator, where the body is placed on a mountain where it is consumed by wild animals.3 Death rituals are very common throughout humanity and occasionally appear in the behaviors of other animals.
             When a crow dies, a very peculiar thing happens. All of the crows in the area will come sit in the tree closest to the body of the dead crow. They will call out for hours, as if they were mourning for the dead crow.4 Elephants also have a death ritual. If an elephant dies, they will inspect the body and prod it with their trunk. Even elephants of different herds will inspect the body as they pass by.5 Clearly at least some animals have a sense of respect for the end of a life, but these animals are more communal in nature. A communal nature is the want for humans to live in communities.