--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Human beings are social animals. We were…" description: "\"Human beings are social animals. We were social before we were human.\" — Peter Singer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/peter-singer-1001_animal_human-beings-are-social-animals-we-were_1195834.jpg" --- # Human beings are social animals. We were social before we… ![“Human beings are social animals. We were social before we were human.” quote by Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/peter-singer-1001_animal_human-beings-are-social-animals-we-were_1195834.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/peter-singer-1001_animal_human-beings-are-social-animals-we-were_1195834.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/peter-singer-1001_animal_human-beings-are-social-animals-we-were_1195834.jpg) > “Human beings are social animals. We were social before we were human.” [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human beings are inherently social, predating biological evolution; our social nature underlies moral obligations and cooperative behavior. **In simple terms:** We are social before we are human. Key Takeaway Recognize our deep social roots. Themes ethics evolution cooperation sociality Mood analytical thought‑provoking Type philosophical academic When to use this quote - teamwork - community building - conflict resolution - education - policy making Key Concepts philosophy of morality anthropology evolutionary biology Questions to Reflect On - How does social nature shape moral duties? - Can we redesign institutions to honor our social roots? A Different Perspective Social instincts can be overridden by self‑interest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) ## Related quotes > [“What an intense thing it is — this human need to be loved. It’s one of the most profound things that make social animals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-chapman/what-an-intense-thing-it-is-this-human-need-to-be-loved-it-s-one-of/) [Marina Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-chapman/) > [“Not all social animals are social with the same degree of commitment. In some species, the members are so tied to each other and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/not-all-social-animals-are-social-with-the-same-degree-of-commitment/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [Human beings are such social animals. We're very connected with the feelings of those we're close to, so we can't really be happy when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-thurman/human-beings-are-such-social-animals-we-re-very-connected-with-the/) [Robert Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-thurman/) > [Human beings are social animals; we devote a significant portion of our brain just to dealing with interactions with other humans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamais-cascio/human-beings-are-social-animals-we-devote-a-significant-portion-of/) [Jamais Cascio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamais-cascio/) > [Human beings are social animals and nearly all of us are driven by the need to be loved and the desire to successfully sustain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-hussey/human-beings-are-social-animals-and-nearly-all-of-us-are-driven-by/) [Matthew Hussey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-hussey/) > [“Any human being should be capable of three things to earn such title: live alone, hunt and drive anything with or without wheels. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/any-human-being-should-be-capable-of-three-things-to-earn-such-title/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) > [We are all social human beings, so making music is a way to contribute to society, to feel needed, to feel necessary. We need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-wiegand/we-are-all-social-human-beings-so-making-music-is-a-way-to-contribute/) [Erik Wiegand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-wiegand/) > [We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. 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Wildebeests don't hang with lions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-phillips/human-beings-are-a-social-species-we-like-to-hang-together-in-groups/) [Dan Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-phillips/) > [Without love we could not survive. Human beings are social creatures, and a concern for each other is the very basis of our life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/without-love-we-could-not-survive-human-beings-are-social-creatures/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [At the end of the day, human beings are social people. If you have had a bad day, there is no escape when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/at-the-end-of-the-day-human-beings-are-social-people-if-you-have-had/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) > [Human beings are social creatures. We are social not just in the trivial sense that we like company, and not just in the obvious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/human-beings-are-social-creatures-we-are-social-not-just-in-the/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) > [Human beings take social stances, and if you’re respectful of all human beings, you have to decide what you’re going to do and why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-carey/human-beings-take-social-stances-and-if-you-re-respectful-of-all/) [Mike Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-carey/) ## More by Peter Singer > [I have never really been fond of animals. I certainly wasn't an 'animal lover' when I became involved in the movement. I just came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/i-have-never-really-been-fond-of-animals-i-certainly-wasn-t-an-animal/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Knowledge is generally considered a good thing; so, presumably, knowing more about how the U.S. thinks and operates around the world is also good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/knowledge-is-generally-considered-a-good-thing-so-presumably-knowing/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [The price we are willing to pay for safety cannot be infinite. It is distasteful to put a price on human life, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/the-price-we-are-willing-to-pay-for-safety-cannot-be-infinite-it-is/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [The hope of Internet anarchists was that repressive governments would have only two options: accept the Internet with its limitless possibilities of spreading information,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/the-hope-of-internet-anarchists-was-that-repressive-governments-would/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [ Nineteen thousand children \[are\] dying every day. Does it really matter that we're not walking past them in the street? Does it really matter… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/nineteen-thousand-children-are-dying-every-day-does-it-really-matter/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“The unchallenged assumption is that humans may use animals for their own purposes, and they may raise and kill them to satisfy their preference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/the-unchallenged-assumption-is-that-humans-may-use-animals-for-their/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Beginning to reason is like stepping onto an escalator that leads upward and out of sight. Once we take the first step, the distance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/beginning-to-reason-is-like-stepping-onto-an-escalator-that-leads/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“Population growth is not a reason against giving aid but a reason for reconsidering the kind of aid to give.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/population-growth-is-not-a-reason-against-giving-aid-but-a-reason-for/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Well the real concept of basic needs if you cut it right down are simply the physical needs that are unavoidable for all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/well-the-real-concept-of-basic-needs-if-you-cut-it-right-down-are/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“Dairy farmers routinely remove calves from their mothers at an early age so that the milk will be available for humans; anyone who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/dairy-farmers-routinely-remove-calves-from-their-mothers-at-an-early/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Attempts to defend amusement parks and circuses on the grounds that they 'educate' people about animals should not be taken seriously. Such enterprises are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/attempts-to-defend-amusement-parks-and-circuses-on-the-grounds-that/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“A consequence of this alienation of humans from their own nature is that they are also alienated from each other. Productive activity becomes ‘activity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/a-consequence-of-this-alienation-of-humans-from-their-own-nature-is/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“I argued against the view that the only obligation we have to strangers is to avoid harming them; but even if we were to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/i-argued-against-the-view-that-the-only-obligation-we-have-to/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [I believe that in this new world that we live in, we often have a responsibility, you know, to actually go beyond the thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/i-believe-that-in-this-new-world-that-we-live-in-we-often-have-a/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [It may be thought justifiable to require tests on animals of potentially life-saving drugs, but the same kinds of tests are used for products…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/it-may-be-thought-justifiable-to-require-tests-on-animals-of/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) [Explore all 310 Peter Singer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. 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He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Human beings are social animals. 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