There is a HUGE difference between humans and animals. Science looks, mostly, at the body and its evolution. Buddhism looks more at the mind. Mind is where the biggest difference lies. Humans are, generally, much more intelligent (IQ) than animals can ever be.OWEG wrote: ↑Sun Dec 01, 2019 10:04 am Dear friends,
I am listening to an audio book about the human evolution. As in our science today we see the human evolved from the animal state being an higher developed animal, the following question arose in my mind:
Why did the Buddha categorize the human plane of existence as separated from the animal plane?
I ask because it seems, that from modern science point of view the difference between humans and animals are only gradually (like human animals). Not like the difference in matter between human and devas for example. Also in the Jatakata tales we have often very human-like thinking and talking animals.
Any further ideas on this?
Humans can develop wisdom and escape samsara. Humans can develop vipassana, and panna. And much more.
Animals cannot.