The Boy Who Was Raised By A Dog
Sample Solution
In their book The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz draw a distinction between being human and being humane (Perry & Szalavitz, 2017, p. 12). They argue that while all humans are biologically human, not all humans behave in a humane way.
Perry and Szalavitz define human as "a member of the Homo sapiens species" (p. 12). This is a biological definition that is based on our shared genetic makeup. However, they argue that being human is more than just our biology. It is also about our behavior.
Full Answer Section
Perry and Szalavitz define humane as "characterized by or showing kindness and compassion to others" (p. 12). This is a behavioral definition that is based on our ability to care for others and treat them with dignity and respect.
Perry and Szalavitz argue that not all humans behave in a humane way. They point to the many examples of cruelty and violence that exist in the world. They argue that these behaviors are not what make us human. They are what make us inhumane.
Perry and Szalavitz argue that we can learn to be more humane by understanding the effects of trauma on the brain. They argue that trauma can make it difficult for people to connect with others and to feel empathy. They argue that by understanding the effects of trauma, we can develop better ways to help people who have been traumatized.
The distinction between being human and being humane is an important one. It is a reminder that we are not just our biology. We are also our behavior. And we have a choice about how we behave. We can choose to be kind and compassionate. Or we can choose to be cruel and violent. The choice is ours.
Here are some additional thoughts on the distinction between being human and being humane:
- Being human is a matter of fact. We are either human or we are not. There is no gray area.
- Being humane is a matter of choice. We can choose to behave in a humane way or we can choose not to.
- Being humane is not always easy. It can be difficult to be kind and compassionate when we are feeling hurt, angry, or afraid.
- But it is always worth it. Being humane is what makes us human.