is there any evidence?

Question

that we are as or more intelligent then a spastic little jack russell terrier or a tree bending in the wind or a black hole gobbling up solar systems in space?

Answer 1

If the true measure of intelligence was the ability to make oneself as happy as possible and enjoy existance as much as possible which contributing to the greater good as well, I'm going to say that the spastic little Jack Russell Terrier is the most intelligent.

If the true measure of intelligence is to make a prosperous people feel as though they are lacking something which they can just barely not afford, then we are the most and least intelligent.

If the true measure of intelligence is living a long life with as little work as possible, the tree bending in the wind is the most intelligent.

In other words, to get at this provocative question, it needs to be a bit narrower to answer in this medium.

Answer 2

Why search for answers that we are more intelligent when we have the ability to at least feel more intelligent? Or wonder about the question you ask while non of the subjects will...

I'd say a smart dog will beat a stupid dogowner... and a tree bending in the wind shows far more intelligence compared to people trying to stop the wind from shaping them...

the black hole... No need to explain that one, right?

Answer 3

As the ohter answerers seem to agree, you need to define what intelligence is before you can go about a rating scheme. But really, I think it's a relativity thing--apples and oranges and all that. a human mind cannot even conceive how a dog's works, and viceversa, so the intelligence comaparison can't even be made. Does make one wonder though--can intelligence levels be defined between the sexes, or even between any random two individuals?

Answer 4

in‧tel‧li‧gence 
–noun
1.capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc.
2.manifestation of a high mental capacity: He writes with intelligence and wit.
3.the faculty of understanding.
4.knowledge of an event, circumstance, etc., received or imparted; news; information.
5.the gathering or distribution of information, esp. secret information.
6.Government.
a.information about an enemy or a potential enemy.
b.the evaluated conclusions drawn from such information.
c.an organization or agency engaged in gathering such information: military intelligence; naval intelligence.
7.interchange of information: They have been maintaining intelligence with foreign agents for years.
8.Christian Science. a fundamental attribute of God, or infinite Mind.
9.(often initial capital letter) an intelligent being or spirit, esp. an incorporeal one, as an angel.

By this definition, intelligence is not just in knowing, but in the ability to learn more. A jack russell terrier knows how to do much, but is limited in its ability to learn new things. A tree knows how to grow and reproduce, but cannot learn as humans can. A black hole utilizes its knowledge in very powerful ways, but again, cannot learn as humans can. The ability to not only understand abstract concepts, but find ways to apply the theoretical to the practical in order to construct a more efficient world for the functions we desire based on the limited capabilites of our universe and its contents gives humans more intelligence than that of anything else you may have listed.

Answer 5

Not really. The only real argument for this is the idea that we are supposed to be more intelligent because we are the only species who are said to be "self-aware". However, how could we ever possibly know that for sure? So, to answer your question, zzi, I would have to say that the answer is no. Or how about "probably, no." :-)

Answer 6

We are not more intelligent. We just happen to communicate effectively with eachother

Answer 7

The fact that we can consider these questions and the others cannot is proof positive.

Answer 8

yes.

Answer 9

NO!@

Answer 10

NO.