I was wondering about alien life, and it got me thinking that on earth have 5-10 creatures that show signs of intelligence that at least seem likely to “progress” as a civilization if they just had better organs for tool use. Theyve been with us for long time but only we progressed, and while we share a lot with apes, they havent even if they have same organs for tool use. Are Apes dumber than crows, orcas, octopi etc.? Or was human intelligence (before we got to civilization levell) really unique and that different than other animals?
In: 27
It depends on what you mean by civilization I guess? There are things you obviously can’t do without tools, like make more than minimal changes to your environment, or become explorers and colonizers.
But for example if dolphins developed language and intelligence they could have oral history, create works of art involving singing and drums, develop intricate ways of using language to describe and explore the world that might dwarf our own, and they could have highly developed inner spiritual lives.
I would think it’s at least possible that they could be the most meaningful artists, the deepest philosophers, and most profound spiritual explorers, entirely without tools.
Latest Answers