Chimpanzees are 96-98% similar to humans, depending on how it is calculated. Cats have 90% of homologous genes with humans, 82% with dogs, 80% with cows, 69% with rats and 67% with mice. Cows are 80% genetically similar to humans. 75% of mouse genes have equivalents in humans. Then why only the humans evolved to be the most intelligent and smartest in this planet? Why not other species? What is that “X” factor?
Hua Xiao
A very pertinent point has been raised by you. The term "intelligence" is a relative one. We consider us as the most intelligent species on earth by OUR OWN parameters or references. The pathogenicity (ability to cause disease) of a bacteria or virus may also be considered as intelligence. There are plenty of examples in case of every species. Each species has special abilities. So, I think the gradation should be done according to the reference scale of performance of that particular species. Moreover, if we judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, then for whole life it will be considered as fool.
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Crows are very intelligent. One of my familiar crows is much more smart than people. But I didn't take her DNA sample.
Culture. We do not simply solve problems intelligently, like some other animals. Some other animals even solve problems cooperatively. But no other animal seems to be so flexible with, and so intrinsically interested in, cooperation, sharing knowledge, and forming culture. Michael Tomasello, a Comparative Developmental Psychologist at the Max Plank Institute is probably the most famous scientist for studying and promoting this idea (see videos below for primer). Hope this helps some, Sanjoy. ~ Kevin
https://youtu.be/9vuI34zyjqU
https://youtu.be/RK8rKKp-vP0
1: Civilized Person
2: Respect to Others means Humans Animals Plants including all living beings
3: Dignity
4: Manners
5: Sensitivity
6: Sincerity
7: Kindness
8: Punctuality
9: Responsible
10: Communication and Intelligence
11: Thinking and Actions
12: Learning Research Reading Writting and All other Intelligent Activities
Regards
At first, from a biological view, there are considerable differences between human and chimp brains, let alone the other animals. It means, those small unsimilarities in genes were enough to cause these differences. As a result, we have a better instrument (brain) for solving the problems, especially for more complicated problems. But, if we ignore this fact and concentrate just on behavior, at least one of the reasons can be strategy selection. We choose and use better strategies!
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