SOC 101 Study Guide - Final Guide: Economic Determinism, Social Fact, Social Statics
Document Summary
Humans do not descend from apes; humans are apes. Humans are not exempt from any biological process. Humans are just as much animals as any other animal. 3 distinguishing factors from other animals (in relative, not absolute terms) We think hominins became bipedal as a survival mechanism when they stopped living in forests; moved into flat, open land. Other bipedal animals exist (e. g. chickens, ostriches); therefore, bipedalism was a necessary evolution but not sufficient to lead to the intelligence of humans. When animals became bipedal, they had two extra limbs allowed for the development of tools, technology. Eating meat was necessary for development of brains. What did we need to be powerful predators? (see below) We believe the first tools were created ~2. 5 million years ago. Technology has allowed humans to thrive in any environmental conditions, as opposed to most animals which are environmentally specialized (other than cockroaches).
