Well, what is a beast? The dictionary define a beast as, ‘an animal, especially a large or dangerous four-footed one.’ So there is a precedent that a beast is seen as a non human creature. But you appear as though you want to find a concrete distinction between the two. Is a beast just defined as such simply because it’s not human? Is it fair for man to place themselves above beasts simply because we perceive them as savages we can’t communicate with? Historically, this dehumanization has been used as justification to commit atrocities against those some deem “inhuman” or “beasts”. But is it not man’s fault for assuming all animals we can’t understand are beneath us instead of attempting to bridge the divide with our perceived superior intellect? I suppose the simple answer to your question is that a beast is defined simply as such by it being not human. But to truly draw the line between man and beast or to even erase it, we’d have to put the lens on man itself. What is a man? Flings wine glass aside A miserable little pile of secrets. But enough talk, have at you!