What Makes Us Human?
Empathy The issue of the distinction between humans and animals is being discussed constantly. Once people find a trait that distinguishes them from other creatures thus making human beings special, they become convinced of otherwise. What makes us human? The ability to empathize, to understand others’ feelings and react to them, has long been attributed to both animals and humans. However, it is not entirely true. Although some animals can express simple emotions, only humans are capable of empathy. Throughout the years there were multiple attempts to detect signs of animals’ feeling of empathy. In 1959 the American psychologist Russell Church conducted an experiment with rats. One animal stopped pressing the bar to get food when another rat in the neighbouring cage was given electric shocks. That experiment showed that the rat felt anxiety for the other one. The scientist saw a sign of possible empathy in the animal’s action. In 1962 Priscilla Gainer and George Rice observed rats’