Why are we so much smarter?

[juvenissun]

May be this one has been discussed many times. If so, I may get a quick answer to it.

If we were evolved from apes, what are we so much smarter than apes? Why don't we see any other species using computer?

One step deeper: Why does God give us wisdom instead of giving apes wisdom (so we are not needed)? or to give both wisdom?

(Shh..., yeah, I know. We are "created" in His images. But I am trying to give TE people a hard time).

 

[Archivist]

May be this one has been discussed many times. If so, I may get a quick answer to it.

If we were evolved from apes, what are we so much smarter than apes? Why don't we see any other species using computer?

One step deeper: Why does God give us wisdom instead of giving apes wisdom (so we are not needed)? or to give both wisdom?

(Shh..., yeah, I know. We are "created" in His images. But I am trying to give TE people a hard time).

humans didn't evolve from apes. Rather, humans and apes share a common ancestor.

 

[Assyrian]

May be this one has been discussed many times. If so, I may get a quick answer to it.

If we were evolved from apes, what are we so much smarter than apes?

Try comparing our brain sizes.

Why don't we see any other species using computer?

One step deeper: Why does God give us wisdom instead of giving apes wisdom (so we are not needed)? or to give both wisdom?

(Shh..., yeah, I know. We are "created" in His images. But I am trying to give TE people a hard time).

Only species who have intelligence can ask silly questions like that, so whoever God gave the wisdom to, they would be the ones asking why God gave us the wisdom instead of another species. Why not give a number of different species intelligence? He did. We are just rather good at getting rid of the competition. (Where are Neanderthals now?)

 

[sfs]

humans didn't evolve from apes. Rather, humans and apes share a common ancestor.

Humans and apes share a common ancestor . . . which was an ape. Which is to say, yes we did evolve from apes.

 

[sfs]

May be this one has been discussed many times. If so, I may get a quick answer to it.

If we were evolved from apes, what are we so much smarter than apes?

We're smarter because we evolved -- greater intelligence and bipedality were the two largest changes in the evolution of humans. Mammals are unusually intelligent for animals, primates are unusually intelligent for mammals, apes are unusually intelligent for primates, and humans are unusually intelligent for apes. As for why intelligence increased so much in our line . . . that's a matter for speculation, of which there is a great deal.

Why don't we see any other species using computer?

Because humans are the most intelligent species. One species has to be the most intelligent, and whichever one it is, that's the one that's going to be asking the question.

One step deeper: Why does God give us wisdom instead of giving apes wisdom (so we are not needed)? or to give both wisdom?

We are a branch of apes. I don't know whether we have wisdom or not, but to the extent that God gave us wisdom, he gave it to apes.

 

[juvenissun]

We're smarter because we evolved -- greater intelligence and bipedality were the two largest changes in the evolution of humans. Mammals are unusually intelligent for animals, primates are unusually intelligent for mammals, apes are unusually intelligent for primates, and humans are unusually intelligent for apes. As for why intelligence increased so much in our line . . . that's a matter for speculation, of which there is a great deal.


Because humans are the most intelligent species. One species has to be the most intelligent, and whichever one it is, that's the one that's going to be asking the question.



We are a branch of apes. I don't know whether we have wisdom or not, but to the extent that God gave us wisdom, he gave it to apes.

Thanks. But I am not satisfied. Frankly, THE major reason I am against the evolution is that the theory does not explain this big question. In spite of the similarities on genes or morphology or whatever else, the difference of intelligence is simply too big to be explained by evolution. We do not know why. And "anybody's guess" is definitely not a reason to support that evolution is the origin of human.

I could compromise to support the evolution of animals, but definitely not human. As long as we are not the product of evolution, I don't really care if animals evolved or not.

So, my question in the OP is probably the most critical one to me. And I don't expect any of you TE could even start to explain it by evolution.

 

[Tinker Grey]

How about: because God made evolution a natural law of the universe knowing that it would be we asking these questions.

 

[sfs]

Thanks. But I am not satisfied.

You shouldn't be satisfied -- "we're not sure" is not a satisfying answer. That's why scientists formulate and try to test more specific answers.

Frankly, THE major reason I am against the evolution is that the theory does not explain this big question.

That's a very strange reason for rejecting the theory. Scientists say "We can't be sure exactly why this trait developed, but we have the following plausible explanations, and we're trying to devise tests to figure out if one of them is correct." And you respond, "Oh, well, the theory must be wrong then." Huh?

In spite of the similarities on genes or morphology or whatever else, the difference of intelligence is simply too big to be explained by evolution.

That's a very different reason for rejecting the theory: not that it doesn't have a complete explanation nailed down, but because the theory cannot explain the development of intelligence. Unlike your previous sentence, this one offers a valid reason for rejecting evolution. Or rather, it would offer a valid reason if it had any basis in fact, rather than just being a random opinion you dreamed up yourself.

We do not know why. And "anybody's guess" is definitely not a reason to support that evolution is the origin of human.

Right. And "anybody's guess" is not why we support evolution as the origin of humans. I support evolution as the origin of humans because of the overwhelming genetic evidence that we share a common ancestor with chimpanzees.

So, my question in the OP is probably the most critical one to me. And I don't expect any of you TE could even start to explain it by evolution.

And I don't expect that you'd pay the slightest attention even if we could explain it. If we could say, for example, that 2100 mutations in 800 genes were required for human intelligence (compared to our human/chimp ancestor), and could show that that many mutations was quite within the expected range of random mutations . . . what would you say?

 

[juvenissun]

How about: because God made evolution a natural law of the universe knowing that it would be we asking these questions.

As I asked in the OP, why should it be us? Why not the chimps? We are very similar anyway.

 

[juvenissun]

And I don't expect that you'd pay the slightest attention even if we could explain it. If we could say, for example, that 2100 mutations in 800 genes were required for human intelligence (compared to our human/chimp ancestor), and could show that that many mutations was quite within the expected range of random mutations . . . what would you say?

You are very wrong. I will care very much. I would even spend time to study it if necessary.

If you plot an expression on the quantity of intelligence versus time, the curve would likely to be near zero until human appeared. Then the curve start to "fly" almost vertically. I don't think any dumb would think this curve indicates evolution. I don't think either any mutation stuff can explain that. Our DNA is "very similar" to that of ape's. So apes should have intelligence equivalent to, may be, our college level students. Shouldn't they? Any one ever attempt to correlate DNA structures with the degree of intelligence?

 

[theFijian]

As I asked in the OP, why should it be us? Why not the chimps? We are very similar anyway.

Romans 9:20
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”

 

[juvenissun]

And I don't expect that you'd pay the slightest attention even if we could explain it. If we could say, for example, that 2100 mutations in 800 genes were required for human intelligence (compared to our human/chimp ancestor), and could show that that many mutations was quite within the expected range of random mutations . . . what would you say?

Alright, let's see the question this way:

How much is the difference on intelligence among species of homo sapiens? Are they similar or very different? I heard we discovered short human in some jungles. Are they less intelligent than normal people? I assume they should have the same DNA as ours.

Are we now smarter than the stone age people? Are we becoming smarter through time? So what ever species we will evolve to, they would eventually make flying saucers?

If Adam is perfect, then his descendants became dumber and dumber, right? And because of the degenerating living environment, our children would also become dumber than us, right? I am sort of seeing that among the current college students.

------

No, if we could not solve this problem, the whole theory of evolution is quite meaningless.

 

[juvenissun]

Romans 9:20
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”

Right.

But,

When we talk about the theory of evolution, it seems we HAVE the answer. Do we?

 

[theFijian]

Right.

But,

When we talk about the theory of evolution, it seems we HAVE the answer. Do we?

Evolution can explain 'how' but not 'why'. It's funny how creationists and atheists have so much in common in this regard.

 

[Assyrian]

Romans 9:20
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to theFijian again.

 

[Assyrian]

Alright, let's see the question this way:

How much is the difference on intelligence among species of homo sapiens? Are they similar or very different? I heard we discovered short human in some jungles. Are they less intelligent than normal people? I assume they should have the same DNA as ours.

Are we now smarter than the stone age people? Are we becoming smarter through time? So what ever species we will evolve to, they would eventually make flying saucers?

Avrocar

If Adam is perfect, then his descendants became dumber and dumber, right? And because of the degenerating living environment, our children would also become dumber than us, right? I am sort of seeing that among the current college students.

It is not as if Adam was up to building flying saucers, or sequencing the Adam genome project.

------

No, if we could not solve this problem, the whole theory of evolution is quite meaningless.

No it's not.

 

[Benoni]

Alright, let's see the question this way:

How much is the difference on intelligence among species of homo sapiens? Are they similar or very different? I heard we discovered short human in some jungles. Are they less intelligent than normal people? I assume they should have the same DNA as ours.

Are we now smarter than the stone age people? Are we becoming smarter through time? So what ever species we will evolve to, they would eventually make flying saucers?

If Adam is perfect, then his descendants became dumber and dumber, right? And because of the degenerating living environment, our children would also become dumber than us, right? I am sort of seeing that among the current college students.

------

No, if we could not solve this problem, the whole theory of evolution is quite meaningless.

Adam's problem was never intellect; it was innocence. I always found it fascinating as generation passed after the fall, the glory faded. Look at the years that people lived until man settled in on the seventy or so years. Very possible the further man got from God’ glory the more the flesh got hold?

 

[Assyrian]

You are very wrong. I will care very much. I would even spend time to study it if necessary.

If you plot an expression on the quantity of intelligence versus time, the curve would likely to be near zero until human appeared. Then the curve start to "fly" almost vertically. I don't think any dumb would think this curve indicates evolution. I don't think either any mutation stuff can explain that. Our DNA is "very similar" to that of ape's. So apes should have intelligence equivalent to, may be, our college level students. Shouldn't they? Any one ever attempt to correlate DNA structures with the degree of intelligence?

Actually they can outperform college students in computer games, and a quick google shows estimates of Chimp IQ at between 40 and 70. That is hardly a graph climbing vertically, especially over million of years.

There are things that come in sudden leaps too, even in human development. Small children cannot handle in abstract though, then as they grow, suddenly it clicks in. Some people never get the hang of it.

 

[inthesky]

I think it may be necessary for you to really study molecular biology and genetics and get a firmer understanding of DNA. Most of our DNA simply does not have to do with our 'intelligence' per se (although I guess it could be argued that all of our actions have to do with intelligence). Most have to do with the way we function - how we breathe, how we move, how our organs work to process food...in fact, we share a great deal of DNA with pigs, and I suspect (though I can admit I haven't studied this) that most of these genetic similarities come from these basic functions that we take so for granted. We - humans - are creatures that require millions of genetic interactions to keep us alive, and it can be easy to overlook these interactions and just focus on the thing that to us seems most important - how we think, why we think, etc.

(As an aside, I can tell you though, as a diabetic, how happy I am that pigs share so much of our DNA. Diabetics before me used pig insulin to keep them alive for many years before the advent of human manufactured insulin, which I use.)

The factors that we may not share with apes may lie in areas of intelligence. And another thing that is vital to keep in mind is that unless you are an ape, it will be difficult to assert with any certainty that they do not have wisdom. Apes have already been taught sign language and can communicate with humans, so they do have the capacity for language.

Let us not forget, and take pride in, the simple and beautiful tiny interactions that keep us alive. We share these processes with the animal world, which is a beautiful world to be a part of. We eat, breathe, sleep, care for our young, mourn our lost, just as animals do (elephants hold quite elaborate mourning ceremonies).

 

[inthesky]

I also see that the question has been asked about why we are 'most intelligent'. What does God say about this? (I don't know).

Why can birds fly when we cannot? Why do giraffes have such long necks? Why can some animals sense natural disasters early enough for them to flee the site? (I mean, philosophically speaking?) One could argue that all of these developments came about so they were better able to adapt to their environments. Giraffes need their necks to reach their food, etc. Maybe we require our intelligence to keep us alive against other species. We certainly aren't naturally as strong as many other animals, nor are we as fast, etc. Maybe intelligence is humankind's 'long neck'.

But on a deeper level, I don't know that there is an answer to this question. I mean, a real true answer that would satisfy everyone, and I'm absolutely okay with this. There are plenty of other things to occupy my thoughts than feeding my vanity about why I'm so much smarter than a chipmunk. The world is diverse and many things are yet unexplained. I feel reassured that I don't have these answers, it makes life much more interesting.