If "higher intelligence" is an evolutionary advantage, why is there no other species as intelligent as man?

Question

Are we so physically inadequate, that we had to develop higher mental capabilities in order to survive. Could there have been extinct species as intelligent as man?

Answer 1

Judging the intelligence of other life forms on our own, rather limited intelligence - is specious.

Perhaps there are other life forms among us who's intelligence surpasses our own to such a degree that communicating with us is viewed in the same light we'd assign to communicating with an ear of corn.

Answer 2

Neanderthal man, a non relative came close and our ancestors likely bumped them off. Your presumption is that intelligence is a "goal" of evolution and that is where you misapprehend the concept of evolution. Those who come up with that disingenuous argument of if we evolved from a simian creature or a "monkey" why are there still monkeys, fail to notice that house cats, lions, pumas, sabre tooth cats, ocelots, etc have a common ancestor and except for the sabre tooth, are still around because they fill an ecological niche and are adapted for their environment, hence are successful and evolved passing their genes to make more cats, pumas, etc. Idiots.

Same with humans. We share a common ancestor, see zebras on animal planet, ride horses, (who share a common ancestor). To presume the human form is the ultimate culmination of evolution (like Island of Dr Moreau) is incorrect. Whatever suits the environment and enhances the odds of survival to pass those genes is plenty advantageous. Bacteria do fine without brains as do spiders, squids, etc. It is only human vanity that presumes we are the ultimate outcome of evolution or creation. If there was a true intelligent designer, "he" could do better. Ask anyone with back problems. Dolphins and whales are very intelligent though have some distance to go to match human intelligence, however there is unlikely an advantage to additional intellect in their environment. They do well at what they do however their environment is challenged by humans over fishing and polluting the oceans. A predator that can withstand our sewage and can live off less food has the advantage there, lesser intelligence notwithstanding.

Answer 3

Intelligence is not necessarily an evolutionary advantage. It depends on the species. In the case of man, it is. We have an opposable thumb. Doesn't sound like much, until you realize it allows us to grab things and pick them up, and eventually use them as tools allowing us to put our intelligence to a practical use (including building weapons, making cities, etc.).

There are intelligent species now (though probably not as intelligent as man), they just haven't developed a civilization because there is more to it than intelligence. Man has no natural predators and man has culture (apes also have a primitive culture, we probably developed it from them).

Answer 4

There are two different possibilities. One if the Evolutionary theory is completely true, another if the theory cannot describe the human behaviours:
01. If Evolutionary theory is true for all the living beings then I can quote the "Anthropic principle". Acording to this the universe would not be like this if human would not be evolved like this. This is hyper philosophical concept. This is merely the ultimate result of evolution. Evolution predicts that, "The fittest being will survive, others will not survive or they will not be evolved as to dominate the fittest".
02. If evolution cannot describe human nature than we can say Human have sth spiritual to dominate over all.

Answer 5

Evolving higher intelligence also comes with many costs. The human brain requires more calories than most species are able to consume on a daily basis. Childbirth of large brained young makes childbirth increasingly perilous. I could go on. Given all of the drawbacks of evolving higher intelligence it is really amazing that the unique set of ecological circumstances that confronted our ancestors actually did push hominids in the direction of intellectual specialization.

Answer 6

you are assuming whales, dolphins, chimps, dogs, even birds are not highly intelligent? what? because they don't build highways, wal-marts, and WMDs? trying to control our environment, repeatedly calling each other to ask where they are, and eating other animal species all while speaking using a multitude of different languages may not demonstrate higher intelligence. let us all hope we are evolving to the level of peace and freedom dolphins must feel. ya think?

btw, YA folks who simply cut and paste their answers from other internet sites are currently at the bottom of the human evolutionary pathway....lol

Answer 7

Evolution occurs depending on the environment and time. Around 500,000 years ago in Africa, our primate ancestor species was evolving a more complex brain to survive in the African plains, all other species brains do change and evolve over time, but they do it in order for them to have the best chance to survive.

Answer 8

Humans spend most of the time destroying ecological diversity, which is what is needed for evolution to take place... simply put, humans haven't allowed any species as intelligent as we are. Hard to make any sense with explaining in less than a couple hundred words or so...

http://www.readishmael.com

Answer 9

Good point and the argument is that the Apex predator-mankind- has such a control over his habitat that he becomes a means of actively discouraging other species from evolving. Mankind exploits the available resources to such an extent that it limits the opportunities for other species to evolve to a higher niche within the ecosystem.

Answer 10

Often when two species compete for the same biological niche one will survive and the other will not. Likely our cousins the Neanderthals failed to compete with us.

Intelligence like ours requires an enormous amount of energy to support it, it certainly does not come for free. In order to support our intelligence we need a very very long childhood as well as a very long pregnancy. Much of our circulation is needed to supply the brain with oxygen. In order to increase skull capacity we needed very weak Jaw muscles. There are an enormous number of very expensive tradeoffs.