Introduction
The comparison between humans and animals can be done from various perspectives: biological, locomotion, consciousness, instincts or moral senses to name a few. Such a discussion would be very wide; therefore, this essay proposes to narrow the comparison between human and animal, by referring to a specific animal. Dogs are considered human’s best friends and from my experience with these animals I can state that they have developed mechanisms for adjusting their living near humans, by copying their attitudes and behaviors or by trying to communicate with them. Therefore, based on personal observation and scientific data, this essay develops a comparison between humans and dogs, focusing on the qualities, advantages and disadvantages of each species.
Sustaining Paragraphs
The obvious differences between humans and dogs are the physical and biological ones. From a biological point of view, dogs’ DNA has fewer genes than humans and there are distinctive aspects that separate humans’ species from the canine one. Both are mammals, but while human are biped dogs are quadruped, which also defines their locomotion. While dogs are covered with fur, humans have only their skin as external coating. Multiple other physical differences deepen the distinction between humans and dogs, which represent no mystery for anyone. However, what is significant to observe is the human - dog comparison in terms of psychology.
Human psychology has been the object of study for many scientists and there have been developed various psychological theories for analyzing humans as children, teenagers, adults or seniors, exposing various internal or external factors that might influence their psychological development and set their personality. Among others, Sigmund Freud, Erick Erikson, Wilhem Wundt, Carl Jung, Edward Thorndike, Abraham Maslow or Albert Bandura are just several scientists who have contributed, through their researches to understanding human psychology (Weiten, 2012).
When referring to dogs, psychology is mostly studied in relation to training them. There is the famous Pavlov’s experiment called classical conditioning, which led to better understanding dogs and their reactions. The scientists connected two stimuli in order to generate a reaction from a dog: a ringing bell and food. When the bell was ringing the dog knew that it was about to receive food and it was salivating when seeing food. In time, the dog begun to salivate each time he heard the bell, associating the bell ringing with the food (Coon & Mitterer, 2008). This experiment generated various exercises that led to better acknowledging the dogs from a psychological point of view.
Considered as possessing a basic psychology, do dogs have morals? Scientists think they do, based on the principle that morality is a biological function. Briefly, morality refers to knowing the distinction between good and bad, between right and wrong. Moreover, having morals implies possessing specific cognitive qualities and emotional capabilities meant to determine individuals to make moral choices (LaBossiere, 2013). Moreover, living next to humans and being trained by them, dogs are leaning morality. A recent experiment indicated that dogs have a high perception about inequity, when during the training of two dogs, only one received treat, although both executed the same commands. The dog who did not receive its treat stopped playing the game (“Living with Humans”).
Looking at my dog I can observe that he can tell what is right from what is wrong simply when he plays with a baby. My dog only kisses and smells the baby, while, when playing with adults, it also uses its teeth to slowly bite, as a playful action, knowing (perhaps) that an adult is more resistant. Similarly with the exercise mentioned above, when I give commands to my dog, it argues me when it does not receive any treat, although it executed the command.
What about human morality? The fact morality is biologically entrenched, and that people possess it from their birth it was understood, but do people actually practice their morals? In the rush of achieving what they proposed (their own happiness or perfection), people sometimes tend to forget the moral values of justice (Clayton & Schloss, 2004).
In fact, both humans and dogs have morals, as they both can make the distinction between good and bad. Nonetheless, it is a matter of their individuality if to apply their morals or not and this defines their character: either malicious or selfish, or, on the contrary, righteous or altruist.
Regarding the communication, humans communicate through complex linguistic structures, but all we know about dogs, in terms of language is that they all howl. The complexity or simplicity of their language is unknown to humans. On the other hand, both dogs and humans have the abilities to communicate none verbally, through gestures and attitudes.
Regarding the instincts, we all know who the winners in this category are. Dogs have more intense senses; they smell, hear and feel danger better than humans. In fact, this is what guides them mostly in life.
Conclusion
It has been said that dogs are learning from the humans, and that dogs have learned morality or to communicate from people. A better look within the human – dog relationship indicates that they learn from each other. While humans open up to what dogs are trying to communicate, they discover that these beings are far from lacking compassion, loyalty or morality. Living near a dog can actually make a human more compassionate and sensitive. The differences between humans and dogs are essential for learning from the one another.
Works Cited
Coon, Denis & Mitterer, John, O. Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behaviour with Concept Maps. Belmont: Wadsworth. 2008. Print.
Clayton, Phillip, Schloss, Jeffrey, P. Evolution and Ethics: Human Morality in Biological and Religious Perspective. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.: Cambridge. 2004. Print.
LaBossiere, Mike. Do Dogs Have Morality? Retrieved from http://blog.talkingphilosophy.com/?p=6594. 2013. Web.
Living with Humans Has Taught Dogs Morals, Say Scientists. Daily Mail. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1047481/Living-humans-taught-dogs-morals-say-scientists.html. 2008. Web.
