| Just to deal with Fiona's example of insects and rats, and how we ware comparable to them due to our ability to survive and spread. The major difference between humans and insects/rats is that they have natural predators to keep them in line. We, sadly, do not. Good example, though.
I think a part of it--I hesitate to say that it's a big part--is that since time immemorial, religions have stressed that humans are special for some reason (we have souls, we are the chosen people, we were made in God's image, stuff like that). Some of that trickles down into today, even inadvertantly, and people go on believing in their superiority just because of something that was concocted thousands of years ago. Some of us may not be religious anymore but it doesn't mean the idea that we are somehow superior to animals hasn't gotten into our heads.
__________________
General: "Those aren't ideas; those are special effects."
Michael Bay: "I don't understand the difference."
|