Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Do you associate human intelligence to your pet?

phoenix1002 · 04-30-2003, 05:17 PM

I believe that animals are "intelligent" and have personalities. They are not humans, though, so saying that they are stupid because they cannot do things that humans can do is not a good comparison. Ask anyone with a pet, and they will tell you that their animals all act differently to certain situations. I have one cat that is very agressive in a fight, until he thinks he's losing, at which point he becomes a chicken. My other cat is always chicken, but is always a lapcat. They both were brought up under the same conditions, too, so that doesn't explain it.

in·tel·li·gence

the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations

my cat was missing for about 2 months. He definitely had to deal with new or trying situations.

the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria

Many animals manipulate their environment- cats, birds, fish, dogs, etc...

The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment

some primates can understand and speak in sign language.

Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information

My friend had two dogs, one older than the other. The older dog they trained certain things. The younger dog they did not have to train, because the older dog taught the younger one the 'rules'

I can think of examples for every aspect of that definition of 'intelligence' that describes the actions of animals.

04-30-2003, 05:17 PM	#42 (permalink)
phoenix1002 Psycho Location: lost	I believe that animals are "intelligent" and have personalities. They are not humans, though, so saying that they are stupid because they cannot do things that humans can do is not a good comparison. Ask anyone with a pet, and they will tell you that their animals all act differently to certain situations. I have one cat that is very agressive in a fight, until he thinks he's losing, at which point he becomes a chicken. My other cat is always chicken, but is always a lapcat. They both were brought up under the same conditions, too, so that doesn't explain it. in·tel·li·gence the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations my cat was missing for about 2 months. He definitely had to deal with new or trying situations. the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria Many animals manipulate their environment- cats, birds, fish, dogs, etc... The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment some primates can understand and speak in sign language. Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information My friend had two dogs, one older than the other. The older dog they trained certain things. The younger dog they did not have to train, because the older dog taught the younger one the 'rules' I can think of examples for every aspect of that definition of 'intelligence' that describes the actions of animals. __________________ I'd rather be climbing... I approach college much like a recovering alcoholic--one day at a time...