Just wondering... (possibly stupid question, i dunno..)?

Question

obviously, our minds and brains have evolved since the dawn of times, we have progressed and gotten smarter

have animals also?

Answer 1

If my dog is any indication, no. Course his ancestor poodle relatives could have been goofier :-)

But according to popular Darwinism beliefs, yes, animals get smarter and the better survivors outlive the dumber ones.

Maybe thats why my pampered poodle isn't a genius -- he doesn't need to be; we love him anyway.

Answer 2

yes they do.  I saw a documentary once that explained how animals have evolved and changed to adapt to whatever environment they lived or live in.  I believe they've become smarter as well...i.e. elephants never forget....they are considered very intelligent animals, pigs are considered to be very clean animals, etc. etc.  

Answer 3

Evolution favors any trait which lends a reproductive advantage to the holder.

Early hominids tended to live longer and thus have more offspring if they were smarter than their peers.  In hominids, strength and speed only counts for so much before some smart, mean junior hominid sneaks up on you while you're asleep and brains you with a rock, or has his buddies grab and hold you while he neuters you.

An animal will only get smarter if being smarter benefits it in some way that allows it to have more offspring.  Try and design a bird feeder that will thwart squirrels and see how animal intelligence works.

Answer 4

yes, obviously but they still lack cognative thinking which means they only live in the present, not the past or future