(一) 人是一种高等动物,人超越其他高等动物,能够有意识地进行自由自觉的活动,这是人的生命活动的本质特征。马克思曾指出,一个种的全部特性、种的类特性就在于其生命活动的性质,而人的类特性恰恰就是自由的自觉的活动。人所特有的这种自由自觉的活动,就是实践活动。因此,可以说,人乃是实践的动物。古猿之进化成为人,根本标志就在于其生命活动由本能活动上升和转变成为自由自觉的实践活动。人之为“人”,就在于其生命活动的主要表现和本质特征,是能进行自由自觉的实践活动。 (1) Human being is a kind of higher animal. People transcend other higher animals and consciously carry out activities which are free and conscious. These are the essential features of human life activities. Marx once pointed out that all the traits of one species and the traits of the species lie in the nature of their life activities, and the traits of human beings are precisely free and conscious activities. This kind of free-conscious activity peculiar to people is a practical activity. Therefore, it can be said that human beings are practicing animals. The evolution of the ape as a man, the fundamental sign is that life activities from the rise of instinct and change into a free and conscious practice. Man as “person” lies in the main manifestations and essential features of his life activities, and is a free and conscious practice.