Ep. 52 The Weekly: Humans & Animals

<p><strong>Do animals have souls? What are the essential differences between a human being and a dolphin or an ape? Are human beings really special amongst all other animals? What makes a human a human? On today’s Weekly episode, which is the first part of a two-part podcast, Ryan sets the table for an in-depth discussion on the nature of humans and animals.<br></strong><br></p>"<em>Though I would classify myself as an animal lover, I do think that there is a sharp distinction to be made between humans and animals, a metaphysical distinction. There are some who see humans and other animals as being on the same metaphysical plane, there are others who see a difference in degree, and there are others who believe that there is an actual substantive difference and qualitative distinction to be made. I personally hold to the latter, believing that there is a metaphysical, substantive, and qualitative difference between humans and all other animals—a difference in nature, quality, or essence."</em><p><br><strong>About Ryan, Host of </strong><strong><em>Thinker Sensitive</em></strong><strong>:<br></strong><br>Ryan Ragozine is the host of <em>Thinker Sensitive</em>. He is passionate about ecumenical dialogue, inter-religious dialogue, and worldview engagement. He is a major proponent of civil discourse, free thinking, free speech, and ethical communication. Ryan has always been preoccupied with big ideas and big questions. He holds a B.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Philosophy. While in seminary, Ryan had the privilege of studying under Michael Peterson, editor and author of several <em>philosophy of religion</em> texts published by Cambridge, Oxford, and the University of Notre Dame—most notably in the subcategories of <em>religion and science</em>, <em>the problem of evil</em>, and <em>C.S. Lewis</em> scholarship. Ryan and his wife are huge advocates of Christian hospitality, running a house church that welcomed people from all different backgrounds and belief systems for about five years before eventually taki