When we yell at a group of frat boys to “stop acting like animals,” there is usually a derogatory undertone. The insult typically implies that someone is acting in a primitive and thoughtless manner. But why must animals be the butt of our jokes and the direction of our cruelty?
It is possible that our superiority complex as a species leads has led us to believe that the lives of other creatures commend less respect. Yes, humans are inherently different than other animals; we have larger brains and written language, both of which are the distinguishing marks of our species. And yet, I did just write other animals, implying that humans are too animals, not some divine species. I am not posing an argument between religion and science. We are mortal creatures regardless of whether a product of creation or natural selection (or both). Just as humans have our large, complex brains, other species possess qualities that are equally deserving of awe and respect. While birds can soar hundreds of feet in all direction, humans had to invent planes to fly. Cheetahs can sprint at the speed of a car (another product of human intelligence), yet some humans have restricted mobility due to obesity (a result of accessible, fat saturated food -- which one could argue has been both beneficial and detrimental).
So who is to say that human behavior is to be the gold standard? When it comes to intelligence, humans are by far superior, but what about the plethora of traits that we recognize as honorable in humans and other species? Bravery, empathy, and grief are all respected qualities of human life that other species experience as well -- we are just too self-involved to notice. There are traits unique to other species that demand just as much respect as human intelligence. I know few people who can detect my emotions as well as my dog (and even fewer who will acknowledge). If someone told me that I was acting like a dog, a species that is theorized to express secondary emotions of guilt and empathy, would I take that as an insult? Initially, yes, because the cultural implications of acting like an animal are negative. Take some time to think below surface level and I hope that you will come to appreciate the magnificent qualities that animals possess. This leads us to a new problem and one that demands change. If we can learn to respect the value that animals bring to our lives and environment, we will be on the track toward equality for all living creatures.
Some people may roll their eyes at my argument, so to those I just mentioned I would like to ask -- what is your cynicism achieving? Admiring the beauty of one person does not alter the beauty of the admirer. In the same manner, appreciating the special traits of animals says nothing about the intelligence or supposed superiority of humans. After all, we are a species equipped with brains large enough to contain admiration for creatures other than ourselves.
