On Aristotle's scala naturae, humans were:
Biology · High School · Thu Feb 04 2021
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On Aristotle's scala naturae, also known as the Great Chain of Being, humans were positioned above animals but below angels and divine beings. In Aristotle's view, all life forms could be arranged in a hierarchical order, or ladder of life, with inanimate matter like rocks and minerals at the very bottom, moving upward to plants, then animals, and finally humans. Each higher rung on the ladder represented a step closer to perfection, with humans being special because they possessed rational souls, which allowed for reasoning and abstract thought. This rational capacity was something Aristotle saw as unique to humans, distinguishing them from animals, which were driven mainly by instinct and appetites.