Human intelligence vs Animal intelligence

Intelligence can be defined as the ability to use cognitive and mental processes directed towards an effective adaptation, as well as the use of conscience and the capacity for thought. For both humans and animals, intelligence dictates the direction of their evolution, therefore their survival. They all have some level of intelligence and would have cognitive processes which includes: Perception, Learning, Memory, Reasoning and Problem solving.

In humans: Intelligence means to learn from past experiences, and to use memories to help in future endeavours. To be able to adapt to new situations and environments is one of the main ways that humans have evolved. To understand abstract concepts, like emotions or ideologies, anything that doesn’t have a direct representation of the physical world. To use past knowledge to manipulate the environment to fit the user with which human intelligence we have created different cultures, spaceships, AI, and figured out science principles behind phenomena and that once left us dumbfounded. Problems are now easily overcome, and humans harbour the key ability to critically think, and find appropriate solutions.

However animals follow a different path of evolution, and determining the intelligence of each animal should be measured relatively. Animals may have followed the same evolutionary path as humans, but through the centuries, broken off to carry different characteristics. Some mammals have migration patterns, like aquatic mammals which use the magnetic field of the Earth for direction. Other mammals, like elephants, have extraordinarily good memory, and are able to remember their companions or enemies from over 20 years previous. With the largest brain of land mammals, they have about 3x more neurons than humans.

The mirror self-recognition test is a famous test that has been used on both humans and animals by scientists measuring self-awareness. An infant or animal may have a certain level of intelligence, however this isn't definite proof. Therefore, an animal/baby is placed in front of a mirror with a red spot on their head, if they can identify themselves , then they would be considered intelligent -however this can’t be used for all animals, like fish.

Humans and animals are both smart in their own ways, with their own adaptations. Blindly stating that humans are smarter than animals because they have created societies, cultures and super-smart computers would be wrong. Humans have evolved by their wants to know more, however animals have evolved due to their needs, survival and threat of extinction. Therefore, for the debate of human vs animal intelligence, both sides are ‘smart’ in their own sense and have qualities that the other doesn't. Some may even suggest : animals in a whole are ‘smarter’ than humans because they rely more on their instinct to survive.

Demira Govind 11F