Final answer:
Humans are distinguished from other animals by their capacity for abstract thinking and symbolic communication, technological innovation, and a reliance on learned behaviors enabled by a big, complex brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
What distinguishes humans from other animals in terms of how we advance knowledge is the capacity for abstract thinking and symbolic communication. Unlike other animals, humans have developed a unique ability to invent, memorize, and communicate using symbolic language, which has led to the emergence of human culture.
Moreover, our species Homo sapiens has evolved a brain that provides us with exceptional aptitude for technology, learning, and complex problem-solving. Technological innovation and the transfer of know-how is a characteristic trait that has allowed humans to create and evolve cultures across generations.
The detailed alignment of the larynx, pharynx, and tongue, grants humans the ability to produce a wide range of sounds, forming the basis of spoken language, which is instrumental in our capacity for abstract thinking. Additionally, our big, complex brain has supported the evolution of other human-specific traits such as music composition and a sophisticated empathic understanding of animals, expanding our mental capacities far beyond those of other species.
While other intelligent species like apes exhibit certain learning behaviors, humans depend on learned behaviors more than any other species, thereby advancing knowledge continuously. This capacity for symbolic language has been crucial for the evolution of human society, collaborative efforts, and the extension of our influence on the world.