A dramatic announcement just 40 years ago by Elwyn Simons of Yale reported that a small apelike creature called Ramapithecus was the first human like species (Leaky, The Origin Of Humankind 5).
Ramapithecus was classified as the first hominid because of it's human like jaw and other features that gave evidence that Ramapithecus walked upright on two feet. It was also believed that Ramapithecus was somewhere between 15 and 30 million years old (Leaky, The Origin Of Humankind 6). While no carbon dating was available at the time this theory was given because of other fossils found in the area were thought to be of the same age.
While Ramapithecus was first believed to the first human like hominid dating back almost 30 million years ago Allan Wilson and Vincent Sarich objected to this and conducted their own study concluding that Ramapithecus was indeed only around 10 million years old (Leaky, The Origin Of Humankind 9). Their study also attempted to find out the true age of humans. They went about this by looking at looking at certain blood proteins from humans and apes. By studying the structural difference between these proteins they could estimate how long on the evolutionary scale it would have taken for the differences to appear (Leaky, The Origin Of Humankind 6). Their study concluded that humans have only been around for appox. 5 million years and that Ramapithecus has only been around for the past 12 million years (Leaky, The Origin Of Humankind 9). They also contend that humans and chimpanzees are each other's closest relatives while gorillas are much farther away on the evolutionary timeline. .
The Ape Human connection.
From my reading one of the most compelling links between the evolution of man from an ape like creature is the Taung child. Discovered in 1924 by Raymond Dart the Taung child possesses both ape and human like qualities. While the human like traits less then the ape like traits scientists agree that Dart's finding is an early human ancestor.
In 1692, the Salem Village of Massachusetts fell victim to an outbreak of mass hysteria caused by a fear of witchcraft. This fear of witchcraft was caused by a small group of girls who accused innocent people of the village of being under the influence of the devil and harming them with spells of wi...
Devout Christians believe wholeheartedly that the world was made for humankind, and that it was sustained by Christ and that humankind was simply given the task for caring for and looking after this creation. Yet, all humankind has managed to do is to trigger an ecological time bomb. This is due to humankinds" selfish exploitation of natural resources. ... So, is Christians believe that the world has been entrusted into the hands of humankind, surely then humankind should be doing all they can to respect nature and the environment. ... God lovingly takes care of His creation and so should huma...
Forster warns humankind that the consequences of machine worship could be the isolation of humankind, the elimination of love and the loss of human uniqueness. ... , the Machine is the ultimate technological advancement that provided all needs for humankind. ... Humankind is missing too much due to the isolation placed on them by the Machine. ... (Pg115) It has gotten to a point where humankind describes each other as creatures. ... The measures of values and beliefs are what is so special about humankind. ...
Furthermore, Wordsworth believes that humankind's hunger for "getting and spending," is spiritually bankrupting and causing many to lose their connection with nature. ... If humankind appreciates the beauty of nature and conserves what it has to offer, they will be able to have a peaceful and mutually beneficial coexistence. It is the duty of humankind to conserve and protect nature and its resources, for if the natural world dies, people will die with it. ... He fears that nature will be destroyed by the modern world and humankind's obsession with "getti...
Furthermore, Wordsworth believes that humankind's hunger for "getting and spending," is spiritually bankrupting and causing many to lose their connection with nature. ... If humankind appreciates the beauty of nature and conserves what it has to offer, they will be able to have a peaceful and mutually beneficial coexistence. It is the duty of humankind to conserve and protect nature and its resources, for if the natural world dies, people will die with it. ... He fears that nature will be destroyed by the modern world and humankind's obsession with "getti...
Q: Ok, but does global warming directly threaten humankind? ... Isn't there something infinitely more dangerous to humankind? ... (Pro/Con vol. 4) Q: Isn't that dangerous to humankind? ... Q: So, overall, humankind is at a serious risk because of global warming? ... A: Yes, it negatively affects humankind. ...
"Great thoughts speak only to a thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all humankind.... Influential people, inventors, and charities all have done great actions to humankind. ... It is that type of mentality that makes Thomas a person who has done great actions that will forever change humankind. ... They all contributed great things to society, great things that will have always changed humankind. ... Influential people, inventors, and charities have changed humankind by doing great actions. ...
His decision to repent is what finally saves all of humankind. ... This decision of praying is vital since Adam has ensured that humankind will not go in the direction of Satan. ... After he sees the vision of Christ's redemption of humankind, Adam refers to his own sin as something positive and of "goodness infinite, goodness immense! ... This suggests that the fall of humankind does have a bright side even though it has terrible consequences. ... In other words, it shows that wrongdoing led to righteousness and the committing of a sin led to the salvation of humankind. ...
But, perhaps one of the bigger questions is one of what humankind had to do with it. ... One of those is that "man" or humankind didn't have a role in the creation. ... For some, humankind may even have control in the environment. ... Since Humankind is to be responsible for the environment, it is obvious that we are not doing the greatest job. ...