In the first place, we have no reason for supposing intelligence (however we choose to define it) is the sole criterion by which we can rank animals. Why not instead use visual acuity, or speed, or strength? Indeed, why try to rank animals in this way at all? We shouldn’t view evolution as a ladder, with ourselves at the top and all other animals below us because they aren’t yet “evolved enough” to possess intelligence. Apes, bears, cats, dogs, mice and men are all equally “evolved” because we share a common ancestor that lived about 65 million years ago. The various species have adapted to
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