What Does It Mean to be Human?

'To be or not to be'. One of Shakespeare's most famous quotes said by the character Hamlet. Although interpreted in many different ways, Hamlet said this at the start of his speech in which he contemplates life or death. Hamlet says that death would be much like sleeping. The only fear is that we might have bad dreams when we're dead however we would escape petty things like emotion. Regardless of Hamlet's reasoning, much like with most things, here are two sides of the coin. Some might say that emotion is a hindrance to our humanity but others might say that emotions are what ties us to it. Humanity is one of the most complex, ever-changing creatures to reside on this Earth so far and because of our forever changing nature we can be happy but also horribly sad, we can be positively kind but also unquestionably volatile. To be human is like a pendulum swinging from left to right. Our weight or fixed point is that we all collectively share the attribute of actually being a human. When we swing left, we're less kind, harsher and more unhappy. When we swing right, we're conscious of ourselves and others, we hold more joy or gratitude and even satisfaction. Without a doubt, emotions can prove our humanity. Some people show their emotions upfront and to the world, however, others can struggle with emotions whether they are their own or if they belong to someone else. This means that emotion isn't something that can define humanity completely. Charles Darwin was an expert in natural history also known as a naturalist and he believed humans were more alike to animals however we are just higher in intelligence. TO BE CONTINUED

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Michael Kelso

Author of Crime/Mystery novels, and short hor...

Schellsburg, United States