Would we still see ourselves as 'human' if other hominin species hadn't gone extinct?

READER QUESTION: We now know from evolutionary science that humanity has existed in some form or another for around two million years or more. Homo sapiens are comparatively new on the block. There were also many other human species, some which we interbred with. The question is then inevitable - when can we claim personhood in the long story of evolution? Are Chimpanzees people? Did Australopithecine have an afterlife? What are the implications for how we think about rights and religion? Anthony A. MacIsaac, 26, Scotland.

In our mythologies, there’s often…

© La Conversation - jeudi 7 octobre 2021