Mark Twain's Argument Essay: The Lowest Animal

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“The Lowest Animal” Argumentative Essay Can you believe that we are descendants from cats? While it may sound surprising that we are descendants from cats, this is just one of the many thought-provoking arguments put forth by Mark Twain in his essay "The Lowest Animal." In this piece, Twain challenges the commonly held belief that humans are the most advanced and evolved species on earth. Instead, he argues that our behavior towards each other and towards animals reveals that we are the lowest form of life. Through his observations and comparisons of human behavior with that of animals, Twain suggests that animals may have a superior moral code to humans. By delving into this complex topic, Twain invites readers to consider their own actions and the impact they have on the world around them.
He first supports his claim by declaring that humans are lower than animals. As mankind we think that we are superior to most living things on earth. But he declares that this is simply wrong, by saying we are lower than animals. He claims that we have the moral sense and “without it, man could do no wrong. He …show more content…

Like for example in his experiments “I taught a cat and a dog to be friends. I put them in a cage in another hour I taught them to be friends with a rabbit. In the course of two days, I was able to add a fox, goose, a squirrel, and some doves. Finally monkey They lived together in peace.” (17,4-10). He goes on to explain that as man when were put together we fight and will kill each other off. There can be a way for those animals to become friends. But the chances of that are very low because they are a bunch of prey and predators mixed in the cage. Another point is as Twain points out the bad “He is the only animal to inflict pain on others”() He leaves out the good and the kindness in the world. Instead, he focuses on the bad to get his point