Intelligent Animals – Biology Lesson 130 Essay

What does it mean to say a creature is “intelligent?” Describe some of the intelligent behavior of various animals, and compare it to human intelligence.

Primates are the most-often used example of an intelligent animal, and for good reason. Like many other mammals, apes and monkeys have a highly-developed neocortex in their brain, and often a photographic memory because of how visually dominant their sensory system is. There are many types of tools that they use, not just picking up a random stick on the ground but actually making a tool of some kind to suit their needs. They use tools for many things like gathering food or water, cleaning, or as weapons. They have complex social structures, shown through their coordination in hunting, and creating rank and hierarchy.

Like primates, elephants are very socially intelligent. They can express sympathy for their dead and are considered to be self-aware creatures. In a study by PNAS, Asian elephants were proved to be able to recognize themselves in a mirror. They also can create art, if given the tools.

Dolphins and whales are also put at the top of the list of intelligent animals. They have specially developed ways of communicating with others of their kind. A dolphin’s chirping communication has even been compared to sending a holographic image to others. These marine mammals’ intelligence can be credited to their unique 6-layered cerebral cortex.

There are also some very intelligent birds. The ratio of brain to body mass of birds can be compared to that of elephants and dolphins. The Corvidae phylum (crow family) is particularly known for intelligence. Ravens and crows can count, pick-pocket food and small objects from human beings. They are also capable of some more peculiar things. For example, they can learn to read traffic signals and use that to their advantage. Crows have been spotted using cars driving by to crack nuts that are hard to open. Birds are also socially intelligent, with crows noted to hold funerals for their dead, as human beings do.

There a lot of other animals that scientists consider intelligent, like dogs, cats, horses, and reptiles, but in this essay, I wrote primarily about the animals featured in my biology class.

In conclusion, while how to accurately measure “intelligence” in animals is still being debated; the traits scientists often look for are a well-developed neocortex, the ability to use tools and think critically, social behaviors, and in some cases, even a strong appreciation for art.

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Example of art made by an elephant, video

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References:

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/human-intelligence-versus-whales-and-dolphins/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2004/12/crow-as-clever-as-great-apes-study-says/

RPC Biology Readings and Lessons

Western Civilization Lesson 130 – Week 26 Review

Writing assignment: Answer two of the following questions.

(1) How does Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle, argue for the existence of God on the basis of the concepts of potency and act (or potentiality and actuality)?

Aristotle presented the idea that change is defined as potential being actualized. No potentiality can self-actualize, there needs to be something to initiate the change. There are two types of series in which act or change occurs: an accidentally ordered series, and an essentially ordered series. For the purpose of proving God’s existence, Aquinas uses the example of an essentially ordered series. A simple example of an essentially ordered series is a stick and a pebble. First a hand would need to move the stick, which would then move the pebble. Whenever the last parts of the series (in this case, a moving pebble) exist, the earlier members must also exist. Simply put, something has to start the first act. But the hand is not the first member, nor the arm, or body.There is always something before that actualizes the potential of the following member of an essentially ordered series. Whatever started the series has to be the creator of all the other members of the series.

Therefore Aquinas states there hast to be an ultimate first member of all first members, an “Unmoved Mover”. This being must be pure act, with no actualized potential. This being is God.

(3) Describe the main principles of just-war theory.

Just-war theory, primarily created by Christians, is meant to answer the crucial question of how a war can be considered morally legitimate. It also seeks to answer what conditions need to be met in a just war, and what are the proper actions to take. Cicero, a writer of Latin literature from classical Rome, indirectly begun this theory. He concluded that war should be considered a last resort. Once the war is over, both parties should live in peace, the victors should be considerate to the conquered people. The earliest Christian theologian to write of the just-war theory was St. Augustine. He added the principle that war is only justified by the injustice of an aggressor. He also stated that a vassal (a man who serves a lord) can choose not to fight without being disgraced if he believes the war is unjust. can choose not. This theory was later built upon by Scholastic philosophers, like Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas thought of three conditions a just war must meet. First, there must be a legitimate authority to approve the war. Second, there should be a just cause to fight for, and thirdly, good intentions. Francisco de Vitoria later adds that even a just war that adds up to all these requirements, should still be waged in moderation, a principle he calls proportionality.

In the 11th century, the church placed additional restrictions on ‘just’ war. First of all, non-combatants, such as women and children, must not be harmed. The soldiers may not rob peasants, merchants, or churches, nor burn down their buildings. The people who broke these rules would face the threat of ex-communication by the church.

Here is a summary of the main principles that define the just-war theory: Aquinas’ three requirements, stated above, that the war is a last resort, that non-combatants are not harmed, and there there is a good probability of success to avoid wasting innocent lives.