Are humans animals?

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I know we are classified as that from a scientific point of view, but what about from a philosophical point of view?

Yes, pretty much. Observe people in any social setting when new people are meeting and they, in effect, do the butt sniffing drill that dogs are known for. The difference is that people use words and body angular, not their noses.
There is also that undeniable prey drive that people have.

Yes. Animals that have evolved/developed sophisticated languages and using those languages we've developed philosophy, mathematics and a myriad of other types of analysis and knowledge.

We are primates regardless what religions say!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHvLlS_Sc54[/youtube]

Depends. I think all animals capable of at least a degree of abstract reasoning have an "us and them" mentality. I think a chimpanzee sees other chimpanzees as "us", whereas other animals (including humans and gorillas) as a part of "them" (other animals).

Yes.

All the ones I have met, Yes.

^ Is that a "selfie" Raptor?

^^^^^^^Well, that's going to lead to some 'confusing' nightmares.


Otherwise, well, yes. It's very hard to get the language right in cases like this. When we consider ourselves as animals, do we think of ourselves differently than when we consider ourselves humans? That is, though humans are animals, is there - outside of any religious idea and accepting we are animals - a different tone to thinking of ourselves as humans? I get the feeling there is, and I find that interesting.

Human beings are mammals in every sence of the word.
One of the many problems we have is that we think we are better than other species which is pretty delusional if you ask me.
We overestimate our own abilities and we underestimate all the other species we share the earth with.