Quotes about Animal Intelligence

Perhaps measuring animal intelligence by comparing it to human intelligence isn't the best litmus test. Votes: 4

If one of the arguments against eating meat is to do with cruelty and animal intelligence, then lab meat avoids that. There's also the environmental argument for it. Votes: 3

We are taught that the body is an ignorant animal intelligence dwells only in the head. But the body is smart. It does not discern between external stimuli and stimuli from the imagination. It reacts equally viscerally to events from the imagination as it does to real events. Votes: 3

There are a lot of obstacles in the way of our understanding animal intelligence - not the least being that we can't even agree whether nonhuman species are conscious. We accept that chimps and dolphins experience awareness; we like to think dogs and cats do. But what about mice and newts? What about a fly? Is anything going on there at all? Votes: 3

Human folk are as a matter of fact eager to find intelligence in animals. Votes: 1

From the lowest animals of which we can affirm intelligence up to man this type of intellect is found. Votes: 1

The intelligence of the lower forms of animal life, like a great deal of human intelligence, does not involve a self. Votes: 1

If an animal does something, we call it instinct; if we do the same thing for the same reason, we call it intelligence. Votes: 1

With land-roaming animals, I've just read so much about the sophistication of their emotional lives and their intelligence and the way they process information that betrays a greater intelligence. Votes: 1

The case for exploiting animals for food, clothing and entertainment often relies on our superior intelligence, language and self-awareness: the rights of the superior being trump those of the inferior. Votes: 1

Man is a fire-stealing animal, and we can't help building machines and machine intelligences, even if, from time to time, we use them not only to outsmart ourselves but to bring us right up to the doorstep of Doom. Votes: 1

I've always admired sharks because they have a dimension of intelligence that is somewhat unique to that animal, and especially a great white. A great white has this organ called an ampullae of Lorenzini, and it can actually sense electromagnetic disturbances. Votes: 1

I think there's a supreme power behind the whole thing, an intelligence. Look at all of the instincts of nature, both animals and plants, the very ingenious ways they survive. If you cut yourself, you don't have to think about it. Votes: 1

I do not want to go into its physical reasons: the construction of the human body is different from that of carnivorous animals. But man's intelligence is such that it can be utilised to defend any-thing he does, whether right or wrong. Votes: 1

Art owes its origin to Nature herself... this beautiful creation, the world, supplied the first model, while the original teacher was that divine intelligence which has not only made us superior to the other animals, but like God Himself, if I may venture to say it. Votes: 1

I think that animals aren't less intelligent than humans, they're just of a different intelligence. We have five million smell-sensitive cells in our nose, they have two hundred and fifty million - they can smell emotion. They can smell different types of emotion, they just have another type of intelligence. Votes: 1

When we see animals doing remarkable things, how do we know if we're simply seeing tricks or signs of real intelligence? Are talented animals just obeying commands, or do they have some kind of deeper understanding? One of the biggest challenges for animal researchers is to come up with tests that can distinguish between the two. Votes: 1

I think that intelligence is such a narrow branch of the tree of life - this branch of primates we call humans. No other animal, by our definition, can be considered intelligent. So intelligence can't be all that important for survival, because there are so many animals that don't have what we call intelligence, and they're surviving just fine. Votes: 1

But perhaps he had enough animal strength and detached intelligence that he could make another start. Votes: 0

Every animal has its own intelligence and sensitivities. They're all lovely, worthwhile, and deserving of our respect. Votes: 0

At some point, human intelligence became collective and cumulative in a way that happened to no other animal. Votes: 0

From inanimate object, to microorganism, to plant, to insect, to animal, to human, there is an evolving level of intelligence. Votes: 0

The intelligence of the lower forms of animal life, like a great deal of human intelligence, does not involve a self. Votes: 0

He whose intellect overcomes his lust is higher than the angels; he whose lust overcomes his intelligence is less than an animal. Votes: 0

Instinct guides the animal better than the man. In the animal it is pure, in man it is led astray by his reason and intelligence. Votes: 0

<...> I've never believed there is any animal more dangerous than a human being. I never will. It's the intelligence. It's the mind that makes it so. Votes: 0