I had a life-changing experience in Hawaii recently when a whale visited me and my friends while kayaking. This majestic being was coherent, aware of us, and enjoying our company as much as we were enjoying hers. We put our snorkeling masks on and jumped in the water. We could easily see the whale gently make eye contact with each of us. She could have swam away in an instant but she stayed with us for over an hour. Whales are mammals with brain bigger than ours. They also have complex migration songs that change every year. I wondered about the intelligence of these magnificent beings. So I did a little research and was amazed at what I learned.
Anyone with pets knows that animals are coherent, able to communicate, and have emotions. Emotional intelligence, intuition, and empathy are languages that many animals understand. In some cases maybe even better than humans. It is interesting to consider that there are many different kinds of intelligence. Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd makes a good argument in a recent Facebook post. He postulates that the human concept of intelligence is anthropocentric and lacking in breadth.
Dissecting Worldviews
Watson starts with the bold assertion that, “Biological science is provoking us to shatter our image of human superiority.” Indigenous wisdom has always considered humans are part of the circle of life rather than above it. This sentiment has almost been completely destroyed by generations of colonial indoctrination.
Some religions conclude that humans are superior to all other life forms. Yet colonialism considers some humans as superior to others. For example, Social Darwinism attempted to use science to justify the use of superior weaponry to oppress other humans. We must also be willing to explore the assumptions within science if we are to evolve it.
Is Science a Delusion?
Rupert Sheldrake has a famous and controversial TED Talk entitled, The Science Delusion. It was banned. This is an opportunity to open a dialogue about assumptions within science. Surprisingly the scientific community was not very open to this discussion. Is it okay to entertain the notion that humans may not posses the highest form of intelligence on the planet? If for no other reason than amusement, just open your mind and consider.
Justifying our Intellectual Superiority
It is fascinating to reflect on mammals who have been on the planet a whole lot longer than us. Especially when they also have larger brains than us. We humans pride ourselves on technology, on creating tools, gadgets and machines. We consider intelligence is based on our ability to create technology or tools, but there ARE other forms of intelligence.
For example, emotional intelligence. This form of intelligence is internal and it can not be easily measured empirically. Yet it plays a major role in the success of an individual. Intuition, compassion, empathy are usually considered feelings, but they are actually skills. They are non-physical tools that we can use to ascend the social ladder. Tools do not need to be physical or easily measurable by traditional science in order to be valuable.
We willingly accept the idea of intelligence in a life-form only if the intelligence displayed is on the same evolutionary wavelength as our own. Technology automatically indicates intelligence. An absence of technology translates into an absence of intelligence.
Dolphins and whales do not display intelligence in a fashion recognizable to this conditioned perception of what intelligence is, and thus for the most part, we are blind to a broader definition of what intelligence can be.
Evolution molds our projection of intelligence. Humans evolved as tool-makers, obsessed with danger and group aggression. This makes it very difficult for us to comprehend intelligent non-manipulative beings whose evolutionary history featured ample food supplies and an absence of fear from external dangers. – Paul Watson
Redefining Intelligence
Is the intelligence of building a bomb more important than the wisdom of living in harmony with your environment? In many ways we have confused intelligence with domination and power. Yet this is a pretty narrow worldview.
Intelligence can also be measured by the ability to live within the bounds of the laws of ecology — to live in harmony with one’s own ecology and to recognize the limitations placed on each species by the needs of an ecosystem. Is the species that dwells peacefully within its habitat with respect for the rights of other species the one that is inferior? Or is it the species that wages a holy war against its habitat, destroying all species that irritate it? What can be said of a species that reproduces beyond the ability of its habitat to support it? What do we make of a species that destroys the diversity that sustains the ecosystem that nourishes it? How is a species to be judged that fouls its water and poisons its own food? On the other hand, how is a species that has lived harmoniously within the boundaries of its ecology to be judged? – Paul Watson
Watson gets very in-depth and cites the research which compares cranial capacity and brain complexity between humans and sea mammals. At the very least this information is humbling. Paul Watson has given us a lot to think about, but probably the greatest gift in his essay can be summarized by this quote:
It’s not enough to understand the natural world, the point is to defend and preserve it. – Edward Abbey
Watson is not merely a philosopher, he puts his words and beliefs into action. For 35 years, Captain Paul Watson has been protecting marine life and the oceans. I highly recommend reading the entire essay which is available here.
To even consider that we are not superior to other species is delightfully humbling. It can restore a child-like sense of awe for life which also inspires a desire to preserve our environment. Our tools are wonderful, our science is also wonderful. Let’s use them to celebrate and elevate all of life. The unconscious, disrespectful use of our tools and science can create unimaginable destruction for ourselves and other species. A healthy future includes humans who are aware of this and who live within the bounds of their ecosystem. We have the ability to create worlds or destroy ourselves. How do you want to live your life?
