Producers of texts use purpose and style to affect our perspective on what it means to be human.
Aim: Consider how to look at a Statement of Inquiry / Claim.
Good Old Wikihow - does it ever disappoint?
This article will walk you through the process of living as a human, from the basic necessities of life to the abstract reaches of human aspiration. This article uses the Hierarchy of Needs (conceived by Abraham Maslow, psychologist, and noted human) as its guiding foundation.
What does it say to you? What can you learn from this about being human?
Psychology Today
What does it mean to be human? Or, putting the point a bit more precisely, what are we saying about others when we describe them as human? Answering this question is not as straightforward as it might appear. Minimally to be human is to be one of us, but this begs the question of the class of creatures to which “us” refers.
Not such an easy article to read but lots of questions to be considered if you make it through the article.
Key ideas -
Scientifically - cannot define precisely (Weeds not Water)
Folk - Changing term (like here, now, I…) dependent on who says it to draw a comparison to self. Therefore not fixed to time / geography / ideology...
(Style - article, semi-formal eg layout formal, tone informal, opinion based, infomerd/educated. No use of imagery.)
(Purpose - to provoke discussion?)
Some videos worth watching.
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”
― R.J. Palacio, Wonder
ATL: Practise empathy
What is Empathy? Okay..let's start with sympathy. (Baby steps) Having sympathy for someone means you understand that they might be upset, for instance. Empathy then is not only understanding them logically, but feeling it with them, emotionally. In my opinion it is like the difference between a metaphor and a simile... just that little bit closer!