Something uniquely human

There are not many things that are exclusively associated with the human species, but I think I may have found one: the technicality

While we have no problem distinguishing a goldfinch from a blue whale, or a mosquito from a rhinoceros, we also have no problem grouping them into one single supercategory: the animals. Do humans belong there as well, or are there characteristics about our species that uniquely differentiate us from any animal?

Intelligence? Not so sure. Many other animals — and not just primates, but also ravens and crows, dophins, pigs, octopuses and more — appear to possess remarkable cognitive abilities. Religious faith might be a good candidate, though. There is no evidence that other species have a concept of supernatural deities. But the other day, as I was under the shower (it is truly an excellent environment for creative thought), another most suitable possibility occurred to me.

The radio news reported on British prime minister Boris Johnson’s troubles regarding so-called ‘Partygate’, and suddenly it was crystal clear: one characteristic that almost certainly uniquely distinguishes us from other animal species is the notion of the technicality. Mr Johnson, as the world probably knows by now, recently received a fixed penalty notice (a…