Competitive Intelligence

No Intelligence

In this world of political correctness, we’re not allowed to label people with certain tags any more. People can have “learning difficulties” or be more “challenged” than the majority of us, but that’s about as far as we’re allowed to go. Intelligence is present in all humans regardless of their abilities (yes, it’s apparently true although difficult to believe in some circumstances, we all have it, but not everybody chooses to use it) but what about other species? Do animals have intelligence or do they have “no intelligence”, what is intelligence anyway? There are about as many different definitions of “intelligence” as there are people being paid to study “intelligence”. 

What is Intelligence?

Intelligence is a combination of many different things, but quite simply it’s the ability to learn from, adapt to, understand and interact with ones environment.

1. Intelligence means that you are able to adapt to a new or changing environment
2. Intelligence means that you have the ability to learn and use knowledge
3. Intelligence means that you can reason and have abstract thoughts
4. Intelligence means that you have the ability to comprehend relationships with others
5. Intelligence means that you can judge and evaluate a situation

Well, if that’s what it is many animals do possess intelligence don’t they, only they have a different word for it – survival!

1. Polar bears are having to adapt to the melting polar ice caps and search for alternative food sources
2. Dogs can learn to assist man in many kinds of ways – search and rescue, law enforcement, rounding up sheep – all of these things simply tap into their instincts and talents, but is it “intelligence”
3. Many animals use tools to enable them to eat – rocks to break shellfish – sticks to collect honey or ants
4. Many species of animal build long lasting bonds with their partners, and also have to recognise the hierarchy and obey the social rules of the group
5. Many species of animal know when to keep away from the group leader, when there is danger and when it is safe to venture out

So are animals really guilty of having no intelligence? As I’ve already said, intelligence has many different definitions to many different people.