What Determines Humanity?

This weekend I decided to watch a couple different TV shows about animals with extreme intelligence and major identity crisis's, and it got me thinking about the question asked by philosophers and visionary's since complex questions were created. "What determines humanity?" Though this question cannot have one simple correct answer, and I will not pretend to have one all figured out, this may not be so unfortunate, seeing how it leaves the question open to interpretation which allows everyone to have their own opinions about it. I will, however, share my personal opinion, but feel free to come to your own conclusion. So what factors define a human? Obviously body structure sets us apart from other creatures, but that's not what I am referring to. Is it only our structure and the way that we look that makes us human? We share incredible similarities with other creatures, yet we are labeled as a different species. Why? One possibility is our advanced brains. Our capacity for knowledge, reasoning, thinking and understanding might be a way to determine humanity. However, that may be a bit premature to assume. I previously mentioned my exciting weekend watching TV shows that revolved around advanced animals that were able to think and reason just like human beings, yet they were still considered to be another species. Is it because they look differently? Maybe it's because they have a different body structure. But why does that separate them from other human beings? If they have the same capacity for knowledge and reasoning, why should they be treated more as animals than as people?

There are innumerable schools of thought on the definition of humanity, which is why we are all going to have different answers. Not in a literal, ‘look it up on Webster’ sense, but in a psychological and sociological sense. Over all, I feel as though humanity can be determined by both individuality and moral agency. (Having the ability to discern right from wrong and be held accountable for your own actions.) Humanity itself does not necessarily have to mean humanity compared to plants or vehicles where the obvious answer would be that humans have bodies and brains, but compared to being less than that which is considered human, such as acting as a monster or an animal, which is often what one is referring to when considering someone to be “less than human.” Humanity is allowed certain rights and opportunities which make us human; the most important right arguably being freedom. To a certain degree, I believe that society assists in making us human because it helps us grow and change into the individuals we are today. Society plays a major role in shaping the way we think and act. Without individual traits, beliefs, and thoughts that make us vulnerable, and therefore human, how might humanity be considered different from beings that also live and breathe, such as animals? Lack of innocence and guilt or a level of moral culpability would certainly strip away the moral parts of human nature as well as our judgments when deciding what is right and wrong. And without that morality, how might one still be considered human?