Human or `hoe man' is a word of Chinese origin (see Max Weber's contribution to `knowledge' of the origins of Chinese thought, 1991) and definitely suggestive of what distinguishes us from plants. Recently, it was learned that they (like us) communicate. We do more i.e., create tools and use them to give meaning and value to our lives. Plants thrive on what's available in the environment. The tools we create sometimes are used to destroy that environment that we need (plants and animals) to thrive. We have the ability to do something about it.

An awareness of the life of plants and their probable limited 'sentience' can make little difference in how we treat them. Even Vegans have to eat and that is the nature of Nature. There is a tree of life and they are at the bottom, not unimportant, but even Jains eat veggies. Some animals eat plants and other animals eat them. As a species, we are omnivores and have been for millions of years. That flexibility has allowed us to survive, and even to thrive in some very demanding environments. Traditionally, there were no vegetarian Inuit.

Plants can be destructive too. For example, an invasive plant species may be introduced by seeds in bird droppings with the result that a waterway may become choked off. Or an invasive plant may force out a native species of flora that provided better protection against erosion or a better food source for native fauna. Such possibilities could have deleterious effects on local ecosystems.

Didn't the understanding that "plants are alive" help to expand the concept of "life". After all, this is more of an approach to a philosopher. From a practical point of view, we have begun to understand how plants interact with each other as individuals in isolation or in communities. And communication as a whole, from root to tip, is important. We are on the way to a deeper understanding of the role of plants in the environment and their growth aspirations. Also in the behavioral differences between the species.

@ Dr. Sander, thanks for your response. All you have mentioned can be done without recognizing plants as living entity. What is the operational benefit of recognizing life in plants. Please review the answer of Dr. Raybeck. Or according to Dr. Goldstein should we form an ethical body to behave with plants.

Importance of Plants to Humans

Plants play a significant

role in our lives. Without plants, there would be no more life existing on planet earth.plants are so useful in our life and specially study on children

@ Dr. Saini. It was expected a bit deeper from any one from Philosophy background. There is no doubt about the importance of plants in human life and hence Greenpeace has enough argument to carry on their agenda without knowing plants have life. But being known plants are alive, what extra added on human society? I draw attention to the answer of Dr. Douglas, "An awareness of the life of plants and their probable limited 'sentience' can make little difference in how we treat them.". In contrast as Dr. Heldur said, "Didn't the understanding that "plants are alive" help to expand the concept of "life"". What is that expansion and what is the extent of that expansion?

@ Dr. Sander. As you mentioned, "And communication as a whole, from root to tip, is important." Nobody yet responded about 'Chatbot'. Do you think Chatbot should be at the root other than plants? Or do we need another Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose to answer this in 2023 and so on...

Nor can the definition of "life" be limited, in this case you have to be specific and set limits. Who sets and what are those limits? The meaning of life is wide, as shown in the national encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life I am not a philosopher and a biological theorist. Just dealing with plants (trees) I like to treat each tree as an organism. I have adopted this in my research and it provides some reassurance. Thus related to many other species and environmental characteristics. At the same time, it also maintains its individuality. If you look at a single tree as a living organism, it helps to understand much better. I also agree with the criticism here about me. By the way, already in an article from 1860, the German amateur mycologist Heinrich August Dietrich treated a single tree in Estonia as a "Microcosmos" according to Humboldt ("Cosmos", 1845-1862). After all, this is a known fact and it has also been published. He published an article: Dietrich, H. A. (1860): Die Birke, ein Mikrokosmos. – Illustrirter Revalscher Almanach für das Jahr nach Christi Geburt 1859: 53–83, Reval. Showing how many species birch is related to. It was hardly the first hand in the world? There is also an article about Dietrich in RG. Best wishes, HS

I try to keep my plants healthy and feed and water them. I also talk to them and a lot of my pot plants are, literally decades old.

I talk to them. Today, our niece bought us 3 lilies planted in a plant pot. I have never had anything like this, so read the instructions carefully and placed them on a tray on top of a book shelf. I introduced myself and welcomed them to the house. I am really looking forward to seeing them develop and for the buds to open. I am then hoping to attach a picture to an email to her.

@ Dr. Mary, I guess you would have done the same if plant's life is unknown to you.