Do animals have souls? What are the essential differences between a human being and a dolphin or an ape? Are human beings really special amongst all other animals? What makes a human a human? On today’s Weekly episode, which is the first part of a two-part podcast, Ryan sets the table for an in-depth discussion on the nature of humans and animals.

"Though I would classify myself as an animal lover, I do think that there is a sharp distinction to be made between humans and animals, a metaphysical distinction. There are some who see humans and other animals as being on the same metaphysical plane, there are others who see a difference in degree, and there are others who believe that there is an actual substantive difference and qualitative distinction to be made. I personally hold to the latter, believing that there is a metaphysical, substantive, and qualitative difference between humans and all other animals—a difference in nature, quality, or essence."

About Ryan, Host of Thinker Sensitive:

Ryan Ragozine is the host of Thinker Sensitive. He is passionate about ecumenical dialogue, inter-religious dialogue, and worldview engagement. He is a major proponent of civil discourse, free thinking, free speech, and ethical communication. Ryan has always been preoccupied with big ideas and big questions. He holds a B.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Philosophy. While in seminary, Ryan had the privilege of studying under Michael Peterson, editor and author of several philosophy of religion texts published by Cambridge, Oxford, and the University of Notre Dame—most notably in the subcategories of religion and science, the problem of evil, and C.S. Lewis scholarship. Ryan and his wife are huge advocates of Christian hospitality, running a house church that welcomed people from all different backgrounds and belief systems for about five years before eventually taking over at Thinker Sensitive.

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