NationStates Jolt Archive

A freind of mine told me that she would never eat a dolphine because dolphins are inteliigent, however she would be quite happy to eat a pig or a cow as they are not intelligent. This got me thinking, why is it that intellignece is held to be the greatest attribute possesable by any creature? Is it simply because intelligence is the one attribute we humance possess in abundance over all the other animals?
I know you can talk about the benifits that inteligence brings - the ability to design, to build, to appreciate, to reason; but why should these qualities be held in higher esteem than say brute strength which allows the posseser to smash anything that the intelegent builds.
In another world is there a version of my friend telling an alternative me that she wouldn't eat a dolphine because it could beat her up, but she would happily eat a five year old?

The reason that intelligence is held as the most important aspect of an animal is due to human intelligence. Without which:

We are weaker than a cow;
Poorer immune systems than a pig;
Kitty food for ANY large cat;
Chew toy for ANY pack of canines, even poodles;

Indeed, without intelligence we are a very stupid looking occasionally aquatic monkey. With it, we rule the earth. The point is we humans can eat anything we want to, cos there is nothing on earth we can't hunt; But we feel a certain fellow feeling with smarter animals. At least, the smarter animals. Or, at least the cute ones.

So if we were strong enough to wrestle and vanquish any animal on the planet would intelligence still be such a virtue, or would say viper-venomn-resistance be just as important?

A freind of mine told me that she would never eat a dolphine because dolphins are inteliigent, however she would be quite happy to eat a pig or a cow as they are not intelligent. This got me thinking, why is it that intellignece is held to be the greatest attribute possesable by any creature? Is it simply because intelligence is the one attribute we humance possess in abundance over all the other animals?
I know you can talk about the benifits that inteligence brings - the ability to design, to build, to appreciate, to reason; but why should these qualities be held in higher esteem than say brute strength which allows the posseser to smash anything that the intelegent builds.
In another world is there a version of my friend telling an alternative me that she wouldn't eat a dolphine because it could beat her up, but she would happily eat a five year old?

I eat Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Dolphins, Elephants, People, and Hyper-Intelligent Extra-Terrestrials. But I won't touch Tyrranosaurus Rex because they are Uber-strong!!!

Intelligence took this bald, weak, clawless, slow, short, and overall pathetic creature and turned them into the undisputed masters of the earth and beyond. let's see brute strength take you to space.

But this raises another issue: If we favor those animals that are more intelligent, why is it that, among humans, strength is more respected than intelligence?

Udders

I'd eat anything as long as I'm very hungry and it's tasty.

why is it that, among humans, strength is more respected than intelligence?

Only among stupid people, because they lack intelligence. And vice versa for intelligent people lacking strength. (usually) ;)

Only among stupid people, because they lack intelligence. And vice versa for intelligent people lacking strength. (usually) ;)Damn you and your logic!

But! Should not the weak admire the strong for achieving something they could not? Should not the stupid admire the intelligent for similar reasons?

Damn you and your logic!

But! Should not the weak admire the strong for achieving something they could not? Should not the stupid admire the intelligent for similar reasons?

You can "achieve" intelligence? I demand that you tell me how!!!

Damn you and your logic!

But! Should not the weak admire the strong for achieving something they could not? Should not the stupid admire the intelligent for similar reasons?

No, why? If you have one you're probably dead convinced you don't need the other. And if you have both, I hate you, because you're better than me. I don't admire.

No, why? If you have one you're probably dead convinced you don't need the other. And if you have both, I hate you, because you're better than me. I don't admire.

What if someone has neither?

What if someone has neither?

Then maybe you're super attractive and get laid all the time.

Then maybe you're super attractive and get laid all the time.

It's like you've known me all your life!!!

No, why? If you have one you're probably dead convinced you don't need the other. And if you have both, I hate you, because you're better than me. I don't admire.I want to argue, and I could probably come up with something halfway decent. But deep down I know you're right.

What if someone has neither?

that can be a problem then.

It's like you've known me all your life!!!

I do. Check your spam emails for solutions to that little (no pun intended) problem of yours.

I want to argue, and I could probably come up with something halfway decent. But deep down I know you're right.

*bows* I'm always right, sir.

I do. Check your spam emails for solutions to that little (no pun intended) problem of yours.


Wow it's like you've known me all your life AND you've been paying attention!

Wow it's like you've known me all your life AND you've been paying attention!

Look outside!!! BOO!!

Biological speaking (or perhaps more precisely, physically speaking) Homo Sapiens is a "jack of all trades master of none" animal. We can physically do just about everything, climb, swim, walk, run etc... just not particularly well (well maybe except for the walking, were actually quite well designed for long distance walking). Other animals past and present were generally faster, stronger, possessed greater stanima, had keener senses and were otherwise overall, physically superior. We possesses reasonably good vision and it's bionocular or stereoscopic and our hearing is not bad, but our sense of smell is practically non-existent.

I personally do not hold intelligence (or man) in either higher or lower esteem than any other atribute or species. As an evolutionary biologist, I see each species as unque, possessing it's own interesting adaptations and lifestyle.

Celebrity Frogs, you are quite correct in stating that T. rex was "uber strong" ;) We are doing studes on fossilized remains and have found that it's joints possessed huge surface areas for the attachments of large muscles.

I personally do not hold intelligence (or man) in either higher or lower esteem than any other atribute or species. As an evolutionary biologist, I see each species as unque, possessing it's own interesting adaptations and lifestyle.
I've always held intelligence as the highest esteem over the other attributes, because with intelligence, you can create something to help you do almost any of the other things.

That's just my opinion though.

The reason that intelligence is held as the most important aspect of an animal is due to human intelligence. Without which:

We are weaker than a cow;
Poorer immune systems than a pig;
Kitty food for ANY large cat;
Chew toy for ANY pack of canines, even poodles;

Indeed, without intelligence we are a very stupid looking occasionally aquatic monkey. With it, we rule the earth. The point is we humans can eat anything we want to, cos there is nothing on earth we can't hunt; But we feel a certain fellow feeling with smarter animals. At least, the smarter animals. Or, at least the cute ones.

We are good endurance runners and excellent at pack hunting, but we usually need to hunt large game or we will gain less benefit from the food than the energy expended chasing it down (humans are slow but they can cover a much greater distance in a much shorter period of time since they can run really fast without needing to sprint like most animals do.)

We also tend to wield weapons and fire, so intelligence helps here too. But intelligence is useful for all pack hunting animals.

Most adult humans should be able to overpower a cougar or other small large cat (seems almost like an oxymoron.)


Pigs are extremely intelligent and also ferocious in combat.

Celebrity Frogs, you are quite correct in stating that T. rex was "uber strong" ;) We are doing studes on fossilized remains and have found that it's joints possessed huge surface areas for the attachments of large muscles.

Coo-ool!!!

Coo-ool!!!
You know what would be even coo-ooler?
If they actually used "uber-strong" in the report. Now *that* I'd like to see get through a peer-reviewed journal.
;)

I've always held intelligence as the highest esteem over the other attributes, because with intelligence, you can create something to help you do almost any of the other things.

That's just my opinion though.

This is a valid opinion. Actually, I would rather possess a form (probably one one the Theropod dinosaurs) that is physically superior. That way I would need to build or create much of anything. It would all be "built in" so to speak. Even as a human, I never got my drivers licence because I possess "Thunder thighs" and "Drumstick" calves ;)

Intelligence took this bald, weak, clawless, slow, short, and overall pathetic creature and turned them into the undisputed masters of the earth and beyond. let's see brute strength take you to space.

But why is going into space important? Granted it's a heck of an achievement, but is it any more impressive than being able to benchpress a small country? You can tell me that going into space broadens our horrizons and teaches us about the universe but isn't this using intelligence to create more intellignece - the Mensa equivalent of weightlifting?

A freind of mine told me that she would never eat a dolphine because dolphins are inteliigent, however she would be quite happy to eat a pig or a cow as they are not intelligent. This got me thinking, why is it that intellignece is held to be the greatest attribute possesable by any creature? Is it simply because intelligence is the one attribute we humance possess in abundance over all the other animals?

Maybe you should explain to her that pigs are quite intelligent, often with intellects around those of a three-year old child.

Not that I care if she eats pork - just demonstrating that her reasoning is stupid.

Maybe you should explain to her that pigs are quite intelligent, often with intellects around those of a three-year old child.

Not that I care if she eats pork - just demonstrating that her reasoning is stupid.

Let's eat her!!!
Ewww my bit's all grisely :p