I think the Anthropological arguments would out balance the sociological arguments on this one (since the topic deals with the origin of society)
There is not much of a difference between us an the animals. Both can reproduce and adapt to certain enviorements and we also have our form of communication. I think is the way we are shape that makes us different and capable of building stuff.
The question we should ask is why some animals live together whereas some animals live alone. In other words, why some animals are social when others are solitary. In fact, many large carnivorous animals, such as tiger, leopard and bear (which is omnivorous) live alone. There are two basic conditions for animals to survive: there is enough food and they are not to be eaten by other animals. For larger animals, their body sizes lead to two inevitable consequences: they require more food, and they face less natural enemies. So, the primary problem for larger animals would be to find enough food. If these animals live together in a group, the problem of insufficient food would be exasperated. As for those smaller animals such as ants, wolves, monkeys and human beings that have to face many natural enemies need to get together, depend on and protect one another from their enemies.
Originally posted by tengwang
The question we should ask is why some animals live together whereas some animals live alone. In other words, why some animals are social when others are solitary. In fact, many large carnivorous animals, such as tiger, leopard and bear (which is omnivorous) live alone. There are two basic conditions for animals to survive: there is enough food and they are not to be eaten by other animals. For larger animals, their body sizes lead to two inevitable consequences: they require more food, and they face less natural enemies. So, the primary problem for larger animals would be to find enough food. If these animals live together in a group, the problem of insufficient food would be exasperated. As for those smaller animals such as ants, wolves, monkeys and human beings that have to face many natural enemies need to get together, depend on and protect one another from their enemies.
What about animals such as elephants and dolphins? They are often compared to us and I really don't think they face any threat of resources or natural predators. Do animals with more complex emotions tend to gather together?
The difference between human society and animal society is memes.
On a larger scale, it boils down to certain neurological systems, language ones probably most importantly, but the ability to assume an others' perspective and understand the motive behind their action (the basis of linguistic communication anyways) is likely one of the most "specific" items.