Difference between revisions of "Human"
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| − | [[ | + | '''Humans''' are bipedal primates belonging to the species Homo sapiens ([[Latin]]: "[[wise]] man" or "knowing man") in Hominidae, the great ape family.[2][3] They are the only surviving member of the genus Homo. Humans have a highly developed [[brain]], capable of abstract [[reasoning]], [[language]], [[inner life|introspection]], and problem solving. This mental capability, combined with an erect [[body]] carriage that frees the arms for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of [[tools]] than any other species. Mitochondrial [[DNA]] and [[fossil]] [[evidence]] indicates that modern humans originated in Africa about 200,000 years ago.[4] Humans now inhabit every continent, with a total [[population]] of 6.8 billion as of November 2009.[5] |
| − | + | Like most higher [[primates]], humans are [[society|social]] by [[nature]]. However, humans are [[unique]]ly adept at utilizing [[system]]s of [[communication]] for self-[[expression]], the exchange of [[ideas]], and organization. Humans create [[complex]] social [[structures]] composed of many cooperating and competing [[groups]], from [[families]] to [[nations]]. Social interactions between humans have established an extremely wide variety of [[values]], social norms, and [[rituals]], which together form the basis of human [[society]]. Humans have a marked appreciation for [[beauty]] and [[aesthetics]] which, combined with the human [[desire]] for self-[[expression]], has led to cultural innovations such as [[art]], [[literature]] and [[music]]. | |
| − | + | Humans are noted for their desire to [[understand]] and influence their [[environment]], seeking to explain and manipulate [[natural]] [[phenomena]] through [[science]], [[philosophy]], [[mythology]] and [[religion]]. This natural curiosity has led to the development of advanced [[tools]] and skills, which are passed down culturally; humans are the only extant species known to build fires, cook their food, clothe themselves, and use numerous other [[technologies]]. | |
| + | ==Name== | ||
| + | The English adjective human is a [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] loan from Old French humain, [[ultimate]]ly from [[Latin]] hūmānus, the adjective of homō "man". Use as a noun (with a plural humans) dates to the 16th century.[6] The native [[English]] term man is now often reserved for male adults, but can still be used for "[[mankind]]" in general in [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#1500-present.09THE_MODERN_ENGLISH_PERIOD Modern English].[7] The word is from Proto-Germanic *mannaz, from a Proto-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo_european Indo-European](PIE) root *man-, cognate to [[Sanskrit]] manu-. | ||
| − | + | The generic name Homo is a learned 18th century derivation from [[Latin]] homō "man", ultimately "[[earth]]ly [[being]]" (Old Latin hemō, cognate to [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] guma "man", from PIE *dʰǵʰemon-, [[meaning]] 'earth' or 'ground').[8]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human] | |
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
[[Category: Anthropology]] | [[Category: Anthropology]] | ||
Revision as of 18:51, 21 November 2009
Humans are bipedal primates belonging to the species Homo sapiens (Latin: "wise man" or "knowing man") in Hominidae, the great ape family.[2][3] They are the only surviving member of the genus Homo. Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection, and problem solving. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees the arms for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species. Mitochondrial DNA and fossil evidence indicates that modern humans originated in Africa about 200,000 years ago.[4] Humans now inhabit every continent, with a total population of 6.8 billion as of November 2009.[5]
Like most higher primates, humans are social by nature. However, humans are uniquely adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression, the exchange of ideas, and organization. Humans create complex social structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families to nations. Social interactions between humans have established an extremely wide variety of values, social norms, and rituals, which together form the basis of human society. Humans have a marked appreciation for beauty and aesthetics which, combined with the human desire for self-expression, has led to cultural innovations such as art, literature and music.
Humans are noted for their desire to understand and influence their environment, seeking to explain and manipulate natural phenomena through science, philosophy, mythology and religion. This natural curiosity has led to the development of advanced tools and skills, which are passed down culturally; humans are the only extant species known to build fires, cook their food, clothe themselves, and use numerous other technologies.
Name
The English adjective human is a Middle English loan from Old French humain, ultimately from Latin hūmānus, the adjective of homō "man". Use as a noun (with a plural humans) dates to the 16th century.[6] The native English term man is now often reserved for male adults, but can still be used for "mankind" in general in Modern English.[7] The word is from Proto-Germanic *mannaz, from a Proto-Indo-European(PIE) root *man-, cognate to Sanskrit manu-.
The generic name Homo is a learned 18th century derivation from Latin homō "man", ultimately "earthly being" (Old Latin hemō, cognate to Old English guma "man", from PIE *dʰǵʰemon-, meaning 'earth' or 'ground').[8]. [1]
