The great Charles Darwin at one time put forward a very interesting theory, which, according to the scientist, could perfectly explain all unclear questions related to the origin of species, including answering the burning question about the origin of man. The far-sighted materialist scientists, having received at their disposal such a wonderful weapon in the fight against the Christian doctrine of Creation, immediately practically elevated Darwin's theory to the rank of axiom and immutable truth.
However, now we will not enter into any debate about how everything that happened on Earth, including man. We are more interested in another question: What makes a person a person ...
Man is, in essence, just a highly organized animal with intelligence. But is there something that distinguishes man from primates? So still what is it? What makes a man a man? Let us examine some opinions on this subject.
The ability to learn is what makes a person human. Indeed, the ability to learn compares favorably with human beings from highly organized animals - it seems so at first glance. But very many dog owners, trainers and tamers will not agree with this statement, confirming the correctness of their words with the numerous achievements of their pets. Moreover, there are computer programs capable of self-learning, and this can not even be called living.
It is human nature to think. Maybe. But if we take a closer look at the behavior of many animals, birds, and even insects and recall that not a single scientist in the world has proved the opposite, we can assume that our smaller brothers can also think ...
Perhaps society makes a person? Yes, society is a great power that can influence the thoughts and actions of each individual person. But this also does not always happen. How then are outcasts and hermits obtained? After all, if society makes a person, then everything should be the same?
Another issue that excites the minds of many is the question of morality. It is just morality, as well as the ability for creativity and Love, that seems to distinguish a person from highly organized animals. In this regard, not everything is clear either. It is believed that only an educated person can be moral. But does human education make moral? You can answer this question simply by looking around. Surely in the life of every person there were brilliantly educated people with excellent manners, pleasant in communication, well-dressed, but at the same time able to betray and literally walk along the bones of others to achieve their goals. Does human education make moral? - Alas, that would be too easy ...
Love and Creativity - that’s actually what makes a person a Man. Only this can be peculiar only to man from the whole variety of Creation. It is these qualities that bring a person closer to the Creator. “And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them ”(Genesis 1: 27).
In another place (1 John 4: 8) the Scriptures find wonderful words: "God is Love." So, it is the manifestation of Love that gives a person the right to this high rank? Man is the best of all the creations of the Lord, and the Lord loved us to such an extent that He sacrificed His Son so that we had a chance to be saved and become His Children. The great, great Love that each of us is able to recognize is related to us by the Creator, which means that it makes a person a Human ...
It brings a person closer to the Lord, therefore, makes a person a person and the ability for creativity, which is endowed only with man and none of the animals. But here it must be borne in mind that the Creativity of God is primary. He creates from nothing. Human creativity is secondary, because works of art are created only on the basis of what is around or in the heart of a person ...
Of course, all discussions on these topics may seem very controversial, as well as any philosophical conclusions, but they can be regarded as a good attempt to come closer to the answer to one of the most exciting questions of all people: Who am I? Where from? What for?