Animal Intelligence history lesson
Research on animal intelligence began in the mid to late 1800’s. Cats, dogs, and monkeys were studied to test their ability to solve problems such as obtaining food in complex situations that were artificially set up by a researcher in a controlled environment.
Animal intelligence picked up momentum when Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was introduced to the public. It raised questions if animals could potentially be as smart as humans, were some animals smarter than others? How different or similar were humans and animals? Would they continue to get smarter over time, just as humans did?
In 1960, Jane Goodall pioneered studies of animals in their natural habitat. She discovered chimpanzees make and use tools and have a highly structured social environment. Prior to this, these traits were thought to be exclusive to humans. Current theories (Machiavellian and Natural Selection) suggest some animals will pass on their skills and beneficial intelligence genes to future generations, therefore getting smarter over time and adapting to new demands.
Most intelligent of the parrots; African Grey Parrot
Who's the smarty pants of the animal kingdom?
While most of the early test subjects were cats, dogs, and monkeys, it has been determined the most intelligent animals are chimpanzees, orangutans, elephants, dolphins, and parrots.Some key factors that these animals share, contributing to their intelligence, are a lifespan of 30 or more years, an ability to learn through observation, and a social environment. These factors are not so much different from humans. Having a longer lifespan enables the young to be in a learning environment longer before becoming independent. It also increases their chance of learning and remembering new skills as well as practicing these skills. Having a social environment also enables them to learn through observation continuously and adapt to the complexities of a social life. Other animals such as dogs are smart, but because they don’t live long, they don’t quite measure up. Octopuses learn amazingly well from observing, but are not social creatures and only live a year or two.
These “intelligent” animals have the ability to communicate among their own kind as well as humans. They also share fascinating similarities to humans, especially in brain functions; memory and language. With all these factors, it is difficult to determine if animals are actually getting smarter and exactly how their intelligence can be gauged. An experimental lab setting is the best environment to test and measure increased intelligence. In nature, it is not likely these animals will become any smarter than they need to for survival in their environment. However, when their intelligence is developed and pushed to the limits in a lab, this could very well lead to a higher species of smart animals.
The smartest of the animals have similar brain function, chemical make-up, and organization to a human's brain. Research is limited to an observational approach because measuring intelligence is difficult at best and almost impossible to quantify. Also, with little facts known about early human intelligence, there is really nothing to compare it to. While several animals are smart, it is those that have all three key factors; long lifespan, social, and ability to learn, will likely continue to get smarter over time.
Comparing the smartest animals
ANIMALS
|
LIFESPAN (30+ yrs)
|
SOCIAL
|
LEARN
|
|---|---|---|---|
Apes
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Dolphins
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Dogs
|
X
|
X
| |
Parrots
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Elephants
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Octopus
|
X
| ||
Pigs
|
X
|
X
| |
Turtles
|
X
|
X
|
Planet of the Apes
Soon to be surpassed
In my opinion, and various scientists thoughts and studies elude to this, that humans have hit a plateau in learning or surpassing any of the most intelligent people of the past. It seems we're not getting any smarter as time goes by and we've reached our peak intelligence for the most part.
As for animals, they are still evolving intelectually and socially so we have yet to see what they are fully capable of. Will they surpass us in technology anytime soon? I doubt it, however, we don't hold top rank in that anymore so who knows, right? Their abilities and experiences are different than ours so if they ever reach even remotely close to our intelligence level, there will be a new playing field- this could contribute more than we can imagine.
The caveat here is animals do not purposefully seek to increase their intelligence (like humans do)beyond what is necessary for their survival.Such as an ape constructing a tool to access food better or an elephant constructing a fan out of branches to keep insects away. This makes me wonder sometimes if humans are too intelligent for their own good or if this acutally meets the needs of our survival.
Is There a Planet of The Apes?
As a kid, I saw this movie and was fascinated with the subject for as long as I can remember. The original 1968 film was far beyond it's time, reaching into a scary, yet unrealized possible future. Our imaginations took us there and some of it was even believable while much of it was a brutal look into human society, a little backwards.
The premise of the movie was about astronauts who land on a planet, the Planet of The Apes and discover a primal planet with the concept of the future intertwined into it. The apes, who can talk, are in control and are divided into a strict caste system: the gorillas as police, military, and hunters; the orangutans as administrators, politicians, and lawyers; and the chimpanzees as intellectuals and scientists. Humans, who cannot talk, are considered feral vermin and are hunted and either killed outright, enslaved for manual labor, or used for scientific experimentation.
The premise of the movie was about astronauts who land on a planet, the Planet of The Apes and discover a primal planet with the concept of the future intertwined into it. The apes, who can talk, are in control and are divided into a strict caste system: the gorillas as police, military, and hunters; the orangutans as administrators, politicians, and lawyers; and the chimpanzees as intellectuals and scientists. Humans, who cannot talk, are considered feral vermin and are hunted and either killed outright, enslaved for manual labor, or used for scientific experimentation.
We are still very much interested in animal intelligence. Currently, a new version of this film is being introduced to theaters with an updated plot.This one, I believe, is quite convincing- something that could actually happen. The premise of this new one; Rise of The Planet of The Apes, is of a science experiment gone wrong. How could this happen? On the subject of intelligence, humans often seek intelligence without knowing the consequences. We invent things that later prove detrimental to us- this is proof, we have no restraint in a society where greed and intelligence rule. This new movie portrays the search for a new brain revitalizing drug, one tested on apes, and later comes back to bite humans in the butt. We know what humans' ultimate intelligence looks like, but we don't know what ultimate animal intelligence would be like.
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