Mostly all mammals possess basic evolutionary traits they live by may it be hunting or even sleeping during a certain time. However, they do not have the ability to develop their own unique thought processes aside from their evolutionary way of thinking. Human beings are such unique animals because we are all born with the same evolutionary traits, however, over time external influences shape us into complex intellectual beings. These influences result in a form of identity for an individual. One’s identity is the characteristics that determine who or what that person is. Identity is utilized as a means of perceiving and judging an individual. The way a person behaves, thinks, and speaks is all part of their identity, it is what sets them apart from others.…show more content… This concept is discussed in Andrew Solomon’s “Son,” as well as Karen Armstrong’s “Homo Religiosus”. Andrew Solomon argues that human identity originates and forms by two different means, by one’s family and peer group. Karen Armstrong analyzes ancient tribes and how their rituals had the ability to effectively alter one's identity. In Charles Siebert’s “An Elephant Crackup?” he discuss the conflict occurring between humans and elephants. This is occurring because humans identify themselves as above all other living things on this planet. The two texts share similar ideas, which ultimately composes concepts regarding the origin of a person’s
