How does one measure a species' intelligence ?

Question

what makes humans smarter than any other species ? why couldn't ants (for example) as a species be more intelligent ? what is intellegnce , is it survivability as a species , or simply knowledge . what of all the knowledge that isn't applied ?

Answer 1

Wow there is a lot to that question!!

For starters, intelligence is thought to be related to the ratio of Brain mass to body mass. When you look at a graph of animal sizes vs their brain sizes, they follow a smooth curve except two - Humans and Dolphins.

This is why people often comment that Dolphins are capable of the same level of intelligence as a human. But then, how are we defining intelligence?

If we judge intelligence by the ability to make and use tools, we win hands down (no pun intended). Because . . we have hands. Oposable thumbs allowed us to get creative with out use of tools.

Dolphins, however, are thought to have an organised language. They also demonstrate some use of tools (basic sticks and things in their mouths).

If we judge intelligence by the level of self-awareness then it is possible Humans are our equals, or even superiors. they might have much deeper understandings of metaphysics, they may have a more sound moral system, they might not be nearly as intelligent as we think but we just read too much into things . . . who knows?

Basically humans don't know what causes intelligence, and maybe we don't have enough intelligence to really understand it. Maybe other animals have a better concept of what is 'true' because their minds are all confused by what we call 'intelligence.'

But these are all maybes, and I'll finish it with a few more - maybe we'll figure it all out one day, maybe we won't, and maybe, just maybe, we'll learn it from a dolphin!

Answer 2

intelligence, i believe, is the ability to learn and to grow, and for the mind to be able to process complicated ideas
survivability of a species is dependent on instincts, reflexes and adaptability and while adaptability may take some degree of intelligence, instincts and reflexes(at their most basic/instinctive level) do not.
As for measuring intelligence of a species there are so many things to consider i barely know where to begin, though the main thing that stands out in my mind, is for those who have the intelligence, to ease the suffering of those less fortunate and to educate those of lesser intelligence.
A truly intelligent SPECIES, as opposed to a species that contains some intelligent individuals, would be one in which the majority did what they could to work together towards a common goal- peace for the individual.
i believe that despite all the suffering in the world, we are in the process of realising this ideal, we just need a little patience.


being able to wonder makes us intelligent, regardless of how much knowledge we possess

Answer 3

on the contrary, ants are intelligent. they have the knack to know when a storm is brewing or a catastrophe is about to ensue. you usually wouldn't find ants whenever a hurricane or an earthquake is happening, right? also, they stack their food like us. we buy groceries for the weeks, they stack it for life. who sez ants aren't intelligent?

why are we smarter? well, we use our brains and intellect to know, to analyze, to observe, to reason out, to survive, to care, to love. etc.... there's no question there. however, only 20 - 30% of the brain is used. and that's a scientific fact. some parts of the brain are use for the senses that's why only a little percentage is use for thinking. intelligence, as i have said, is meant to be utilize for the purpose of life. without it, we're no different to other species. we are here to live out and use it for life's own appreciation.

Answer 4

when knowledge cannot be applied then of wht use is it? survivability as a species is 'intelligence' I guess size with intelligence is required, hence no use of the intelligence of ants

Answer 5

the stoooooopid ones answer a lot of questions on Yahoo....
oooooooooooooops
got to go now