I'll agree with Nancy.

Homo Sapiens is NOT different from other species in anything but the full self awareness that we share. (and we might not be alone in that, we just don't know for sure)

Animals, in general, are selfish, self-centred, and driven by simple desires and needs. That fits humans just as well. Where we differ is that at least a reasonably large minority strive to keep those animal tendencies under control.

Unfortunately, there have always been religions that undermine those controls, as well as political regimes, and the so-called 'liberal' mindset. (The one that says that all people are inherently sweet and loveable underneath, and must be treated with dignity, respect, and no discipline)

Is an ideal, not a default state (as others have explained above). Capitalism is the most successful economic model because it's philosophy is "each person to themselves" - accrue as much wealth as possible. Unfortunately, "free market" capitalists seem to dominate the philosophies of many Western politicians - minimise regulation, let successful businesses thrive and expand, while less successful businesses either wither and die, or are taken over by more successful businesses. In the UK at least, the present lot in charge are thinking of applying this model to formerly nationalised public services, e.g. schools and hospitals.

An initial reading of the original concepts of communism sounds fairer on paper, but of course as anyone familiar with the plot of George Orwell's satire knows, when implemented it quickly degenerated into: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" and as such the current "communist" states bear little resemblance to what was originally envisaged.

Several religions have attempted to inscribe the notion of altruism among their followers, and where local religious leaders also subscribe to that belief, they can be a force for good. Unfortunately, I think many here could probably name a couple of religious leads at least that instead impose their own prejudices on their faith, and turn their local 'branch' from an inclusive organisation (everyone's welcome) to an exclusive one (anyone who doesn't believe exactly what I believe is damned to hell and must be converted from their "evil" ways to stand a chance of going up rather than down at the end)

... to see -- and hopefully overcome -- the greed and drive for survival and dominance that pushes the rest of nature's creatures through the day-to-day struggle for existence. Some use that vision to reach beyond selfishness and embrace empathy. Others ignore that vision because it impedes their need to ensure their own position in what they see as a never-ending struggle for security at the expense of others. In common parlance, it's referred to as the "To hell with you, Jack, I've got mine -- and I plan to keep it" philosophy. It's all too common, but hardly all that makes up the human spirit.

Condemning the entire species as being nothing more than animals with attitude takes away from everything humans have done that transcends that definition -- yes, poetry, art, theatre, and music, but also compassion, self-sacrifice, charity, and the rule of law. I like to see us as having ... possibilities. We are blessed with the potential to be more. What we do with that potential is our choice, but to deny it exists is to deny all hope of a better world.

Always remember that optimism is a survival trait, because without it, you're doomed before you start. So why not buck the odds and give humanity the benefit of the doubt? Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life seeing only the bad and despising everyone you meet, just because they're human.

Is that really the kind of life you want to lead?

Randa