We say 'humans are the most intellegent species on the planet'......?

Question

we took it for granted? or did other species vote for us??

Answer 1

This answer is for "Emily". Have you asked a monkey (in "monkey-speak" mind you) what he thinks about math? Perhaps they (or other animals) have this figured out. How would we know? I only speak one language myself and would have a hard time determining what mathematical theories were held by a person who did not speak my language. Personally I think house cats are the most superior species on the planet. They work less for more reward than anything I can think of.

Answer 2

The scientific method of research is such that it must be conducted in such a way that it can be repeated by anyone under those same conditions and they will have identical outcomes.

IQ is based on and individual being tested on several topics. Thes include the abitlity to see shapes, colors, patterns, solve equations etc.

Because other species do not have the ability to participate these tests, they are excluded from the higher intelligence arena. Therefore humans are considered the most intelligent.

What supports this theory are things like size of the brain. Development of the brain. Abilities to rationalize and be civilized etc.

These are all things that can be measured and tested using the scientific method which can be duplicated by you. Therefore giving integrity to the saying "humans are the most intelligent species on the planet"

Answer 3

The humans who actually believe that intelligence can be defined with the biases of a species that is under the impression that they are the "Supreme" species will tell you that, "Yes, it is obvious," but anyone who has a bigger idea of life, and can see the detriment that the human species has caused in their "so called" advanced understanding of the world, will say that it is all relative, just because we have found ourselves to be the most influential species on the planet, does not mean we have it all figured out. It seems our species is more interested in justifying it's domination of the planet, than "intelligently" respecting it.

Answer 4

Humans assume they are the most intelligent species, not realising that only some of them are more intelligent than other species. I have neighbours who are not only rather less intelligent than a border collie or Alsatian, but would struggle to compete with the intellect of the most stupid Labrador I've owned. The sort of person who can become a senior officer in Fife constabulary but views people who like reading with suspicion. Quite frightening really.

If you have read or heard any Douglas Adams, you will know that humans consider themselves superior to dolphins because they like mucking about in water, and dolphins consider themselves superior to humans for the same reason.

Answer 5

Of course we are the most intellegent species. Intelegence is about thinking and reasoning and humans excell at that.

Our brains are different to any other animals. It is bigger and more sophisticated. language is probably the big defining factor that distinguishes us from animals. even though we can teach some animals to communicate, the complexity and depth we have far outstrips other animals.

We also have thumbs. No other animal can use thier thumbs like we can and manipulating the enviroment they way we do can not be done by any other animal.

Don't get me wrong; Although I think we are the most intelegent animal, doesn't mean we aint stupid.

Answer 6

I think this is taken for granted. One of the most difficult challenges in comparative psychology is determining how to test intelligence in other species. Another problem is determining what intelligence is. How do you give a dolphin an IQ test, and what would be on it?

Answer 7

Humans are thought to the most intelligent species on the planet because we can walk upright, think and speak aloud and use our brains to create/innovate things for our use besides controlling other creatures on this planet.

Recent scientific research claimed that humans (the scientists) are using only 1-2% of their developed brains power (i.e. intelligence).

I just wonder what would become of humans if they could use 100% of their brain power???

Answer 8

Humans are low on a scale of intelligence compared with some animals.
We Know that we are destroying our Earth and yet continue to accelereate the rate of destruction.
We continue to find more disgusting ways to kill vast numbers of civilisation.
Does a dolphin swim around wondering how it can manufacture chemical and biological weapons to wipe out its own species (and several others) - no.
I can't think of any animal that would want to accelerate its own
impending doom (unless it felt good).

Answer 9

It all depends on how you are measuring, and what you are calling intelligence. As time goes on and humans work at being less species-centric in their approach to measuring intelligence we learn that other animals have incredible abilities and that they are as or more intelligent than we are in their own ways. Many are far more self aware than we used to give them credit for and many have incredible memory and mapping abilities. So I personally don't think we are the most intelligent, we just have the most complex open call system (language) and we can survive in a wide variety of habitats (due to tool usage) unlike most animals who are adapted for very specific habitats and don't have the ability to use tools to survive in adverse habitats.

Answer 10

We think we are the most intelligent because we judge intelligence by our own human rules and criteria. And apply it to all other animals. If a genetics genius and an auto mechanic both took an auto mechanic exam, then its most likely that the mechanic will appear to be the more intelligent.