A little while ago I had a discussion with someone. It started with her
telling me about her two "smart" cats and what they were up to and
how the cats can easily & playfully deceive her. I asked her if she thinks
cats, and animals in general, are smarter than humans. Without hesitation she
said: Yes of course. I said: you mean they're more intuitive; but are you
sure they're "smarter"? She said definitely. I argued that how come they
didn't build civilizations like we did..and how come they don't have any
inventions like we do..she simply replied: "They don't need to. Human civilization
failed."
We exchanged a bit more of q&a until I explained what I believe in:
I think the one reason humans have evolved to become what we are now is
the question: "Why?" The urge to find out why we're here and why us and
what we're supposed to do keeps us going and has got us to where we are now.
This question is what drives scientists to discover more and more and dig deep
into reality to try and find out. It is also the same questions that caused
religion and mythical ideologies to exist.
I don't believe animals have this urge, probably because they
instinctively figured it out? Maybe.
