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Précis 3

Homo sapiens refers to humans as "knowers", while some prefer "Homo Faber" meaning "maker of tools". However, these definitions can be reconciled by considering humans as primarily "loquax", or talkers. Language was crucial for humans to develop as it allowed for the accumulation and sharing of knowledge, permitted religious and ethical discussions, and helped codify laws. In this view, language is what truly makes humans human and gave rise to civilization. Without language, humans would be no different than hairless chimpanzees.

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365 views1 page

Précis 3

Homo sapiens refers to humans as "knowers", while some prefer "Homo Faber" meaning "maker of tools". However, these definitions can be reconciled by considering humans as primarily "loquax", or talkers. Language was crucial for humans to develop as it allowed for the accumulation and sharing of knowledge, permitted religious and ethical discussions, and helped codify laws. In this view, language is what truly makes humans human and gave rise to civilization. Without language, humans would be no different than hairless chimpanzees.

Uploaded by

irfan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Précis

The official name of our species is homo sapiens; but there are many
anthropologists who prefer to think of man as homo Fabcr-thc smith, the
maker of tools It would be possible. I think, to reconcile these two
definitions in a third. If man is a knower and an efficient doer, it is only
because he is also a talker In order to be Faber and Sapiens, Homo must
first be loquax, the loquacious one. Without language we should merely
be hairless chimpanzees. Indeed \vc should be some thing much worse.
Possessed of a high IQ but no language, we should be like the Yahoos of
Gulliver's Travels- Creatures too clever to be guided by instinct, too
Self-centered to live in a state of animal grace, and therefore condemned
forever, frustrated and malignant, between contented apehood and
aspiring'humanity. It was language that made possible the accumulation
of knowledge and the broadcasting of information. It was language that
permitted the expression of religious insight, the formulation of ethical
ideals, the codification to laws, It was language, in a word, that turned us
into human beings and gave birth to civilization.

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