R: To Be Human Is to Be Political

In his Politics, Aristotle claimed that "Man is by nature a political animal." We certainly have a towering capacity for statecraft unknown to any other species, but is that really our distinguishing trait? Let's not forget that humans are also far more artistic, religious, scientific, and philosophical than other animals—why is politics special? Arguably, politics is at the core of human experiences: after all, political questions underlie much of philosophy, religion and politics have always been inseparable, and artistic and scientific endeavors have rested on maintaining a stable state (and have often shaped the state in turn). When we take politics in its most general sense—the study of how to live together—it's hard to find anything that isn't political. So is politics even a distinctly human pursuit? Animals organize themselves, too, even if they do so in simpler ways. Is our ability to create complex societies, run sophisticated governments, and fight destructive wars itself the defining feature of humanity, or is there something more fundamental to our species than politics?

Join us this Wednesday, April 23rd, in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room, at 7:45 pm for our final debate of the year as we try to determine what sets humans apart from the rest. All are welcome!