Survey: The Human Species?

Question

I am writing an argumentative paper for school. Please answer these questions and explain your reasoning (why/why not). Thanks in advance!

Do you think that being at the top of the food chain means that humans are superior to all other organisms?

Do you think that the Earth (nature and other organisms) would benefit or suffer from human extinction?

In your opinion is there any benefit (beyond our own) of human existence?

Do you think humans are one of the most expendable species (as far as balance in nature)?

Do you believe that there are more diseases that effect humans than any other species?

Do you think that disease is nature's way of trying to decrease the human population?

Do you think that people living longer, due to technology, is having a negative effect on our planet?

Answer 1

-No, we are not superior. We are only smarter. Every other creature on earth has found a way to adapt to their environment. From insects to mammoths, they have all overcome nature to survive in an equilibrium. Humans, however, have not. We have found ways to change nature to fit what we want, and therefor are not better (being better would mean adapting and surviving). And realistically, a food chain would not apply to beings with the abilities of technology and weapons, now would it?

Throw a guy in the rain-forest for a couple of weeks. How long would he honestly last without weapons or food?

-Nature would obviously benefit. No humans, no more housing growth, no more hunting or killing. It would take some time for a new equilibrium to form to compensate for the loss of humans, but overall, they would do much better. Not to mention less pollution, therefor less global warming, etc.

-Benefits of human existence. Not particularly. No more than say any other creature. Some would say we have helped some endangered species, but honestly, we were the ones who made them that way. If we weren't here, what else would die or become endangered?

-We are one of, if not the most expendable. Look around today at the homeless and dying. What happens in the world (nature included) when people die? Nothing. No new creatures are put into danger, no species are put at risk, just nothing. Now, look at what happens when humans "live." Loss of habitat, loss of life, loss of nature itself. If we die, what losses are there?

-Yes and no. Naturally, the average diseases effect all creatures. The problem is with human drugs, come new forms of diseases. With new diseases come more problems. Look for example at the Native Americans. They knew nothing of small pox, Venereal Diseases, or anything else before the pilgrims landed. Humans bring on and help spread more than most animals.

-Nature is not a living being, only a living thing. It is not out trying to get us. It is just a series of events that just happen. Disease is just disease. Will it kill some? Yes. Will most survive? Probably. But is Nature in some way thinking of this? No. It happens, as does the sun rise, and the wind blow. No reason, just action.

-Of course it is. People getting older means that we are slowly (depending on what your definition of slow is) overpopulating the earth. At some point (specifically in the Medieval times) we were barely able to produce enough children to compensate for the deaths. Now, we have more children every day then we have place to put them. So, if more people are living longer, and more people are being born, we are only going to hurt the plant further. Its a simple math game with not so simple costs.

Good luck on your paper.

Answer 2

We are not superior to all animals just better predators than all animals

Yes if you take into consideration the greenhouse affect and the destruction of ecosystems

Yes there is a benefit of human existence or at least i hope some day there will be when we have progressed enough as a race to be considerate for our whole planet as a unit.

Yes humans are the most expendable species as being at the top and as the predator below us is the most limited in terms of the energy gains it acquires from its food we would be the most expendable.

No there are not more diseases that effect humans than other species, especially considering the impact of vaccines specially developed for humans, and by "effect", many diseases  have limited effects due to antibiotics that we produce.

No a disease is a means by which a micro organisms can reproduce and survive, a simple fact.

People living longer would of course put more strain on our planet in terms of resources as the overall human population would increase.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

Answer 3

we are not superior we are the most invasive and destructive

that is hardly the conduct of a superior being.

Nature would benefit if humanity was gone

No we are the only ones who benefit by our existance

In Natures eyes we are a virus or parasite  that is out of control

disease is Nature way other way are done by Man himself

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

overpopulation is having a negative effect

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 4

yes, no, yes, no, no, no, no... there you go

Answer 5

Yes. We are superior and that is a fact.

No. Without human life the Earth would be pointless.

No. The entire purpose of earth is to service humans so there can be no benefits to our existence beyond our own existence.

No. We are the only animal that matters.

I don't know.

Yes. That is how nature works.

No. It is having no real effect.