I know that there are other intelligent animal species can be good thinkers and problem solvers. Humans have rational thinking and I will give you an example. For example, humans have the capability and thinking that overreacting and being very dramatic will not be a solution to solving certain issues in life.
But here is my question:
Are there any other smart animal species (like chimpanzees) that know that overreacting and wrath are not the ways to deal with issues in life? I mean that did they know that being calm and keeping one's cool will get issues resolved more smoothly?
And what about their (not humans) judgemental abilities and dealing with things in a rational and calm manner?
2006-07-20 08:07:16 · 6 answers · asked by caltam84 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
No, you are applying human emotions to animals. Their thinking doesn't work that way. They have emotions, but more on a simple and primal level. For example, if you hurt or antagonize, they get angry and lash back. They don't sit there and think "By george, that higher mammal has attacked me! I think I had better behave rational and engage the chap in a diplomatic talk in order to get my banana back." Instead, their reaction is usually swift and impulsive.
Animals do have a higher level of thinking when it comes to problem solving though. One of these that really stands out is the Octopus. They are smarter than most people realize and will even go as far as creating their own tools to solve a difficult puzzle.
2006-07-20 08:17:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, there are no other species that could even attempt to reach such abstract conclusions. Animals differ from humans in that their thinking is purely perception and instinct. Their minds come "pre-wired" to react to certain stimuli with certain actions; beyond this, they are widely incapable of judgment and rationality.
True -- some animals can learn tricks and use tools. However, their thinking never becomes conceptual, as man's does; in other words, they may by chance solve a problem in some seemingly rational way, but they will never understand the greater why and how of their actions.
Man - and man alone - is the only conceptual thinker.
2006-07-20 09:20:37 · answer #2 · answered by evan s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Predatory Cats. Mountain Lions, for example. Rationality and judgement are evident in their hunting practices.
As far as knowing what an animal knows....how could you? They don't communicate their thoughts with language....and we don't know how to read their minds. This is really a kinda silly question to ask.
2006-07-20 08:12:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say dolphins have the right idea. As Douglas Adams said in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books, man always thought he was superior to all other creatures, because he invented weapons, clothing, money, etc. Dolphins thought they were superior because they didn't.
2006-07-20 09:43:31 · answer #4 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the most disgusting creatures (rats, mice and roaches) have a lot of smarts. After all, they've been around since dinosaur days - yuk.
2006-07-20 08:16:59 · answer #5 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots, though not so much consonant with human standards.
Prime among them are cats, though they are much more autonomous that humans, and harder to intimidate into compliance.
2006-07-20 08:16:04 · answer #6 · answered by kaththea s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋