Why are humans so different?

Question

Why do we have this "higher intelligence" and whatnot and why don't other animals? I don't understand why we can make these huge buildings, go out into space, and tons of other amazing things while animals just well...are more concerned about their main survival and live in the wild and don't have such advanced minds as us.

Please give me a logical scientific answer, not an answer with God and faith and religious stuff.

Answer 1

Misamoto definitely brings up some interesting points.

I must add that:

The reason that human behavior is not pre-determined by biology, is that humans are intelligent.

Intelligent behavior is denoted by the freedom and ability of the organsism to change its behavior in response to, or even in anticipation of the environment.

Intelligence is contrasted in biology with instinct.

Instinct is pre-determined genetic response behavior that cannot be modified by the organism, short of genetic alteration.

Instinct can be predicated by biology.

Intellect cannot.

You're right about the fact that of a lack of a solid-scientifically agreed upon definition of intelligence. And you're right about the fact of over-looked ability in other animals:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/0...

^This article generalizes that scientists thought in the past that all animals were solely automated while humans alone were [magically?] 'endowed' with thought, and that pet owners would all disagree. Actually, many 'pet' owners since time immemorial wouldn't, and today part of a pet science involving dogs is knowing "that what appears as 'love' is only appreciation for food".

And it's true, alot of what appears as "thought" are basic interests.

Actually as the article states, activity which would suggest 'superior' thought processes has been witness. From crafty  mischivous animals who develop an affinity for annoying/"out-foxing" other animals (including humans), to immitating others, to understanding others' motives, to even being creative.

But people just want to believe they've been endowed with something magical, even in this century.

For one, we haven't even defined what it means to be more intelligent than one another. Sure, we can say we are more "intelligent" than another, with "intelligent" meaning more informed or more mentally fit and not more naturally endowed.

There is no established and agreed upon scientifically defined biological definition of intelligence. Think about it. Also, in order for an assessment to be made, a mechanism which best entails intellectual aptitude would have to be defined, and then, biological agents caustic of (or correlating with) superior functionality of said mechanism would have to be found.

The ability to store information, the ability to investigate and learn, the ability to learn the art of that, on top of the ability to think abstractly (heavily involved in theism, science, math and philosophy etc) could all be considered intelligences or aspects of a single intelligence.

Don't get me wrong, you talking orangs are a special bunch.

Article:

Something Fishy: How humans got so smart.

http://www.livescience.com/health/060220...

But it is not only about brain size given the role that the neo-cortex and its "wrinkling" plays in human cognitive processes. Einstein's brain size and volume--after death--was noted as being very average--nothing remarkable.

As wee know from computers operating capacities are not based on amount of visible hardware. The same with humans. It's more the neural network and the ways in which the neurons and synapses operate.

The scepticism about the effect of brain size is justified because elephants have brains that are much larger than those of humans--yet they are not on the same cognitive level as humans. And some studies have it Neanderthal man had larger crania than homo sapian sapians - yet, less adapted vocal chords suggesting non-use for anything other than the less complicated, grunts, etc. And some animals with relatively small brains such as parrots surprise humans with their cognitive skills.

The human brain is mysterious given that its activity reduces to the operations of billions of neurons, ganglions and neurons all firing at the same time--with all the uncertainties of quantum mechanics.

It's these uncertainties that explain the fact that none of Einstein's ancestors showed any noted aptitude for physics. And none of his sons performed at his high intellectual level.

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So what makes man appear so "different", and so "advanced"?

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What has likely made the human species so advanced, is not only our language and extensive ability to define, and communicate, but our ability to think abstractly as well.

A while ago, it was thought that abstract thought had began in Europe of all places, 45,000 years ago. But they've now found older such sites in Asia, and now Africa.

Blombos Cave, South Africa the mental/cultural revolution that sparked in us all:

http://www.egyptsearch.com/forums/ultima...

100,000 years ago.

Another:

http://www.egyptsearch.com/forums/ultima...

More links in the links.

Answer 2

the difference between a rock and an animal is astronomical, scientifically.  the difference a animal and a human is hardly nothing, scientifically speaking.  yet, the advances that YOU know to be true are in some ways more astronomical than the rock and animal example.  human life and animal life have physical similarities but the thought process, reasoning, emotion, etc, etc are light years apart.  I am not allowed by you to give you a logical reason, but I believe that my observations are scientific since they are accurate, repeatable and verifiable through direct experimentation.

Answer 3

We found an available niche, or an opening to express these abilities, and we "ran for daylight"!

Answer 4

My friend, you are looking in the wrong place for the answer to your question.

No one person knows the answer for what you're seeking. You're literally looking for a simple answer to a totally complex question.

That being said, I sincerely believe that the answer lies in more of a spiritual plane that a physical one. YOU have to find the answer that satisfies the craving in your being.

I expect this answer to turn you off some; it's natural. But I assure you that, over time, you will see the logic of what I have told you.

Like it or not, may God bless you.

Answer 5

Well, if you're asking how we evolved into what we are today, there is a anthropological theory known as the "scavenger theory" that states early hominids used to be scavengers and eat brains/ bone marrow out of the corpses of animals. The rich protein helped us develop over time and we evolved cognitively.  Scientists like Richard Leakey determined this because they observed strange scratches on the skulls/bones of ancient animals that followed patterns too neat to be done by another animal. The scratches were too calculated for them to think it was another animal and they determined it was hominids using stone tools to get to the marrow/brains. Weird, but it's a theory. I should also note, this theory is under rigorous debate.

Answer 6

if you read the book "guns germs and steel"(or was that a documentary?) it explains much of human superiority and diversity of quality of life, based on locational factors.

Answer 7

We were the lucky ones to become the dominant species on earth.It happened randomly,we developed hands,feet,thumbs,and then brain which we began to use more and more so we became more intelligent

Answer 8

What makes you think we are more intelligent? Why do people think chimps are more intelligent than whales? Is it because chimps look more like us, the judge and jury? Are they less intimidating in their behavior?

If you submerge a human and a frog into water and slowly bring it to a boil, do you think there is a definite time frame in which either species will realize that the heat is becoming dangerous and try to climb out? Does this have anything to do with their intellect or simply their ability to respond as a living entity with a nervous system? How about a slug? Would you expect one to be able to jump out of a hot tub? They surely aren't built for such an action, but does that mean they did not also realize that the water was becoming a dangerous temperature?

Where do we seperate instinct and intellect? HOW do we seperate it? Why do Gorillas use sticks to test the deepness of water before the cross it in some regions, but the same practice is alien to other gorillas? Why do some chimps use stones to crack rocks and others use wood?

I think the idea of "intellect" is fickle. I think the IQ test does not measure intelligence, otherwise we should be able to use the same test on every creature on this earth.

I think we do not understand intelligence but like to pretend we do and that is why we cannot correctly measure it. I think we as humans can sometimes have a curious nature, and this curiousity helps us explore, but we have an advatage, the advantage isn't necessarily intelligence, it is simply how we are built.

I think the only thing that we consider intelligent is in how it relates to us, as human beings, and us as human beings is the only thing that sets us apart from any other creature on this earth.

How can one build a civilization with no hands? Why does one need a civilization if they are nomadic? Why would one need a civilization if they do not have the resources to defend it? Why would one need a civilization if they are content living without one?

We are just adapted species, adapted to our environments, our ability to control said environment is not only based on our adaptations, but also what is necessary for our survival. A sloth has no need for a telephone, and a human has no need for a bird nest. How natural is it for us humans to do what we do, or is it just something learned? Animals can learn to, within the limits of how they are built, isn't that peculiar? Every bird can build a nest but every human can't build a phone.

You may never have your answer.