What is the most important human capacity?

Originally posted by @rajk999
Looking for argument? Go educate yourself.

Ambition in animals geared toward survival is not ambition. It is called instinct.
Basic survival in humans is not ambition, again it is called instinct.
Humans have instinct [survival and procreation], but that is not ambition.

We are talking about two different things.
Why am I not surprised.

I don’t know why you’re so hostile. I simply replied to a post of yours and was not looking for an argument but simply stating an opinion.

Not surprisingly, you launched into the hate.

Originally posted by @rajk999
Looking for argument? Go educate yourself.

Ambition in animals geared toward survival is not ambition. It is called instinct.
Basic survival in humans is not ambition, again it is called instinct.
Humans have instinct [survival and procreation], but that is not ambition.

We are talking about two different things.
Why am I not surprised.

BTW, this is the dictionary definition of ambition, which aligns with the point I had made:

“a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.”

This obviously can be applied to an animal hunting for food, seeking shelter, etc.

Come on, amigo. Enough with the hostility. You’re living in the flesh and that’s no good.

So, thus far we have memory, faith, love, prediction, ambition, compassion, reason, and forgiveness.

Originally posted by @fmf
So, thus far we have memory, faith, love, prediction, ambition, compassion, reason, and forgiveness.

Don’t forget tiger’s contribution - taste buds and the ability to burp.

Originally posted by @rajk999
Removing my Christian hat and thinking generally, I would have to say its the one thing that separates us from animals and allows us to progress as a species

Ambition.

Ambition seems to me to entail observation, evaluation, aspiration, planning, adaptation, and determination. A quintessentially human cocktail.

Originally posted by @fmf
Ambition seems to me to entail observation, evaluation, aspiration, planning, adaptation, and determination. A quintessentially human cocktail.

I personally think ambition is, “a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.”

Edit: But I don’t like to make up my own definitions for words. I go by the dictionary definition, and, if it doesn’t reflect what I’m trying to say, I find another word that better expresses my thoughts.

Edit 2: LOL!

Originally posted by @fmf
Ambition seems to me to entail observation, evaluation, aspiration, planning, adaptation, and determination. A quintessentially human cocktail.

Correct. It is an important characteristic that separates animals and humans. That is why I am not tying it in with basic instinct. Humans have this basic instinct but not all humans have ambition which is the driving force of progress. While animals have live in the same way for millenniums humans through ambition can change their destiny although not always for good.

Originally posted by @rajk999
Correct. It is an important characteristic that separates animals and humans. That is why I am not tying it in with basic instinct. Humans have this basic instinct but not all humans have ambition which is the driving force of progress. While animals have live in the same way for millenniums humans through ambition can change their destiny although not always for good.

I concur. A shrewd choice of word that gets right to the heart of what the OP is looking for.

Originally posted by @romans1009
...
People have faith every time they drive a car (they have faith another driver won’t strike their car,) ...

But not true. Witness seatbelts.

Originally posted by @fmf
What is the most important capacity or attribute that humans possess?

There are lots of contenders that are unquestionably essential, but ~ because it makes all the other attributes and capacities work, and because it is the foundation for our identity and individuality, I'll vote for...

Memory

What attribute or capacity is your favourite contender?

[One selection only, please.]

Sense of humor.

Originally posted by @rajk999
...It is an important characteristic that separates animals and humans. ...

You say only humans have ambition? Other animals plot too,

Originally posted by @apathist
But not true. Witness seatbelts.

You think a seatbelt negates the consequences of a head-on collision or driver’s-side collision at more than a modest speed?

Originally posted by @fmf
What is the most important capacity or attribute that humans possess?...

Define 'important capacity'. What's the goal?

Originally posted by @apathist
You say only humans have ambition? Other animals plot too,

I think ambition entails a bit more than just plotting