To be human is to be able to ask this question: What does it mean to be human? In a sense, then, the question is itself the answer. What other species can ask this question? What other species can ask any question at all?

Only humans are able to ask questions. And this makes it the defining characteristic of what it means to be human. Yet it may be argued that animals do question, except that they cannot bring up a formal question into their consciousness. But animals are curious, some more so than others. And curiosity is a form of questioning.

The questions that humans put to themselves can then be extended to those that concern more than just their survival. The question that began this exercise, What does it mean to be human? is such a question. It has nothing to do with survival or even mere curiosity. It is an existential question.

Humans, then, are able to ask philosophical questions. And the highest questions are those that have to do with themselves. These are questions that seek a meaning to their own existence.

But this matter of questioning can be extended indefinitely. This process needs to be retraced to where it all begins. Where does questioning begin? What is it that makes humans ask questions of themselves? It’s nothing other than self-consciousness.

To be human, then, is to be self-conscious. There’s more to it than just that, however. To be human is to be burdened by self-consciousness. For it is a burden. It puts the burden on humans to search into themselves to find out what they are, and why they are.

The burden grows heavier and takes on further implications when it is realised that self-consciousness brings thoughts of imperfection. For this is probably the greatest burden of all. To know themselves as imperfect and to know that they can never attain to perfection.

How does it come about that there is this species brought about through nature, and is the result of evolution, yet cannot see itself as perfect? This is a mystery that can never be adequately answered. It is a mystery that is another aspect to what it means to be human.

Humans do not stop at questioning. The amazing thing about being human is that humans are able to turn round and create their own universe of meaning. In answer to their own philosophical questions they create myths and symbols to give meaning to their own existence.

And the most amazing thing, as just said, is that it is all self-created. This power to create their own universe is again thanks to their self-consciousness. So it is a burden yet it is a means to lighten the burden. Every question leads to a plethora of answers that in turn lead to cultural creativity.

What does it mean to be human? There can be no other defining characteristic than to have this question ever present in one’s consciousness. And to know that even though this question can never be adequately answered, it is a fountain of creativity.