A Hunch Or What Makes Us Different from Animals

So if our telos as humans is the function or role that makes us different from the beasts--the function that only we have, then in a way, the continual discussion of what makes us different from the animals in political theory might be a sort of throwback to teleological thinking (then again, it might not--it might have some other purpose, even for those who disregard teleological thinking). I find it fascinating, when reading philosophy or political theory, to notice what the author says humans have that separate them from the animals--most commonly reason or language. But some thinkers get more creative--in Arendt, for example, promising and forgiving are what make us different from animals. In Tocqueville it is our urge and ability to improve ourselves. I guess there are two sorts of teloi--a natural telos and a supernatural telos, right? Because for the Christian, the telos of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, or something like that (which necessitates, among other things, reason, language, the power to promise and forgive, and the ability to improve ourselves).