The list below is a dynamically changing list of characteristics of humans. It is used in a systemic analysis using Interpretive Structural Modeling to identify those characteristics that are mosr essential descriptirs of what is human and use them to propose research and policies that aim to safeguard these characteristics.
- Humans have a highly developed and sizable long-term memory
- Humans have the ability to shift their attention consciously
- Humans have intuition
- Humans are capable of abstract reasoning
- Humans are capable of language
- Humans are capable of introspection
- Humans are capable of problem solving
- Humans are concerned with the meaning of life
- Humans search for gratification
- Humans have a sense of curiosity
- Humans record their history
- Humans inherit their genetic code to their children
- Humans are concerned with the inevitability of isolation
- Humans are concerned with Thanatophobia (the fear of death)
- Humans eventually die (restricted life span)
- Humans are uniquely adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression the exchange of ideas, and organization
- Humans create complex social structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families and kinship networks, to nations
- Humans are capable of social interactions
- Humans have established an extremely wide variety of values, social norms, and rituals, which together form the basis of human society
- Humans are a cosmopolitan species (with individuals widespread in every continent except Antarctica)
- Humans have certain qualities that define them as being humane; kindness
- Humans are able to express compassion and empathy
- Humans have the ability to create conditions in order to develop “rights”
- Humans develop collectively codes of ethics
- Humans are able to negotiate collectively and reach consensus
- Humans’ actions are characterized by intention
- Humans have extremities that allow them to interact and manipulate the world around them
- Humans experience dreams while they sleep
- Humans have a theory of mind
- Humans express and understand humor
- Humans tend to strive for long-term relations
- Humans tend to live in pairs for very long times and create families