Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Figures in Motion
The controversy Charles Darwin created in 1859 with the publication of
his groundbreaking work
On the Origin of Species
, in which he inferred the
evolution of different species from common ancestors, including man's
own descent from the apes, has still not entirely disappeared. There are still
people who completely refute any suggestion that humans evolved from
the primates, even though the prevalent scientific opinion is to the contrary.
Whatever the truth regarding the development of modern humans, one thing
we know for certain is that we are now the only bipedal mammal that has
learned to walk with a consistently upright gait.
Although the manner in which we get around is really rather unique, it is
not this alone that marks us out from the rest of nature. Instead it is man's
capability to create, advance, and use technology. It is this and our capacity
for the development of cultures and (I almost hesitate to use the term)
civilizations that truly differentiates us from other animals. A number of other
animals use rudimentary tools, but only humans have the capacity to create
a broad range of advanced technologies for specific purposes. And although
many animals group together socially as families, groups of families or clans,
and wider communities, none do so with the same complex level of cultural
identification and differentiation as humans.
