What does it mean to be human?

Some things to consider, based on our conversations this summer:

Is “human” an adjective in addition to being a noun? That is, can organisms demonstrate human qualities without themselves being human?

Language and communication: is one the domain of “human” more than the other?

How is human learning different from other organisms’ learning?Can science create a soul?

Does the presence of a soul (or spirit?) reveal humanity?Is “human” born, or made—or both?

To what extent is science blurring the lines between human and not-human? Will that distinction become more or less meaningful with time?