david f,

I think the thing that sets us humans apart from the animals you listed above is that humans make conscious decisions re killing for pleasure and exercise free will in deciding whether to kill or not whereas the animals do not behave in that manner and as such are behaving instinctively not being able to exercise control over their action irrespective of whether or not they gain pleasure from the act. Therefore I think I am correct in saying that humans are the only ones that kill for pleasure or greed when the act is predicated on the conscious decision to kill for pleasure or greed.

Dear Mr Opinion,

You think you are correct. I don't think you are correct. I don't wish to continue the discussion.

Dear Mr Opinion,

I don't want to continue this discussion.

Interesting debate last few posts (David and Mr O).

IMO, we are an animal, but the most complex of all given our potential to influence and dominate.

I think we are all capable of trying to dominate for the hell of it, but some more than others, and some more unlikely due to good ethics handed down from generation to generation.

Even then, some of the most dangerous come from middle or upper income backgrounds and behave contrary to their education experience.

As my prime interest is politics/policy, I think we are mostly self-interested, driven by our immediate desires, but that most of us know that it is in our interest to cooperate, to get on, and to get things done for the society's benefit most of the time.

Of course, I only offer my opinion, and plenty of others may argue we are social animals.

Chris, could you clear up or expand on your comment;
"even then, some of the most dangerous come from middle or upper income backgrounds and behave contrary to their education background".
I ask because even though I want to agree, I can't quite, because my experience throughout MY life, and the interactions I have had, coupled with both anecdotal and empirical evidence, has presented a broader base of people or types of people that fit your example, than you have mentioned.
I would ask why you did not include, if not focus more, on the lower income?

Chris Lewis and ALTRAV,

You are both heading in the right direction.

I'm disappointed david f decided to throw in the towel re our little discussion. I'm assuming it dawned on him from what I was saying that humans behave culturally whereas animals behave instinctively. It's been said that the only thing instinctive about human behaviour is childbirth.