What Does It Mean To Be Human Essay

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The expression ‘to be human’ is uttered often in science fiction to convey a specific human experience. It doesn’t, however, mean that only those who are human are able to understand this feeling. This experience can translate to other species because it is a state of being that does not depend on what you were born as, but on who you become. Now, as for becoming, what does that entail? In the human culture, we generally appreciate kindness, empathy, and any sentiment that causes connection to others. This is what we eventually expect everyone to be or to become, even if they are aliens.
Humans do not characteristically have a collective culture; we are divided by several barriers such as language, borders, beliefs, and overall different living conditions. So, why is humanity and ‘being human’ a concept routinely related to Earth and its inhabitants? One …show more content…

Nevertheless, if humanity has all this history of xenophobia, what makes them a shining example of ‘human’? The act of being human does not just account for connectivity; it is also being flawed and imperfect. While compassion is a trademark virtue that humans generally aim for, it is important to embrace that we are not perfect as well. Spock is not perfect in the way that he constantly berates people for their illogical behavior while, on occasion, hypocritically subjecting himself to that same behavior. In comparison, the two humans of the trio are brash, judgmental, rebellious at times, and so much more. An issue that Bones brings up with Spock is that he refuses to acknowledge his human side or is possibly in denial that it affects him. To acknowledge your humanity is to also acknowledge your imperfections. Spock used to be bullied as a child by Vulcans for the reason that he is half human and that made him grow to resent this part of him. He then embraces the Vulcan way and stifles his emotions. This is not healthy at all for a human, and so it must be the same for him

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