Origin of Reason

How did humans attain the ability to reason? How come we are the only species on this planet that has developed a complex system of language and writing, and are able to delve into such subjects like philosophy and ethics, and use the scientific method to help us understand the world around us? Could it be an evolutionary mutation that has propelled the survival of our species and is now permanently inscribed in our genes? Or are our bodies simply suits designed to carry the soul through this world so we can learn and prepare for something bigger?

 

We are the most complex species on this planet, at the moment, we are the only beings that have such a complex system of writing, the most complex body system, and much more, etc.

However, we are NOT the most intelligent. We evolved from primates and our genes and genetics built on to getting more intelligent, we were somehow faster in developing instincts, evolving, and developing muscle. In my eyes, this is one thing yet to be researched on.

 

What creature on earth is more intelligent than a human?

 

Dolphins are proven to be more intelligent than humans.

 

Lol what? Dolphins have the intellectual brain power of a 3 year old. When we find underwater civilizations of dolphins, give me a call, and I'll consider them smarter than us.

 

Prove it then.

 

http://www.valdostamuseum.org/hamsmith/Dolphin.html

EDIT: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061128215146AAXDYdA lmfao at the answers: No. They live underwater and breathe air. What dumbasses.

 

@OP

I agree, the ability for our species, to spontaneous reason, is a puzzling factor. But I'm not going to jump the gun and immediately associate it with a higher power.

You'd have to be seriously retarded to believe that. Or seriously retarded for that to be true. Or both for that matter.

 

yeah, i agree

 

Please don't post just that in a forum, especially the SFA.

Our reason became because we were intelligent enough to understand and develop different things.

 

But why is our ability to reason so much more superior than other species? Why do they trail so far behind? It's like having a bunch of birds that can fly at 50-100 mph, and then one species of bird that can fly at supersonic speeds. Plus, some of our reasoning abilities have nothing to do with survival, therefore they are not affected by evolution. What does thinking about philosophy and the reason for our existence have to do with putting food on our table?

 

So you're saying that our self-awareness is a byproduct of advanced reasoning. Interesting.

It's just strange to me though that no other animal has developed this ability of advanced reasoning.

 

Intelligence isn't the same thing as reasoning. In knowledge terms, reasoning goes under problem-solving. As I posted earlier, dolphins are as intelligent as humans, they may not be comparable in problem-solving skills, they are superior in other knowledge functions.

 

You try to hard.

Yea, it really is. One of the main things I noticed is that there was a jump. Because if we did developed from chimps, then how far down the line did we achieve the ability to reason.

 

Could be a mixture of luck and natural selection.

Other animals can communicate, just clearly not in the same way we can, Parrots have the ability to mimmic human words, and can trigger words can be said by saying a word to the parrot - i.e *polly wana cracker?* Parrot: *yes*

Although, parrots have to be trained to be able to do this to a greater extent, could natural selection cause parots to become smarter then humans and take over the world? :huh:

 

I didn't say they were far apart. Mathematical equation: 5+10, that would be referred to as a math problem, thus going under problem solving.

You know what I mean. I'm not the best at explaining things.

 

Okay, this thread makes my brain bleed.

Humans are not the only creatures with advanced reasoning.

 

The intelligence comes into play where they need it. They are superior in intelligence to what they need to do.

We are advanced as in, we are able to prove, disprove, argue, etc., but we are not too far advanced than some animals.

 

Okay, when we find other animals debating ethics and philosophy, give me a call and I might acknowledge their reasoning skills.

I was talking about intelligence on the philosophical level; ethics, constructive thinking, etc.

 

Natural selection, yes.

We have the genetic code in our bodies that allow us to be able to think within reason, and act upon that thought. There may be other species in the world that are 'smarter than us' capably, but it is the homo-sapiens that are able to take this ability and develop it.
The definition of 'smart’, is tossed around so vigorously.

Are elephants smarter than us, because the have the memory as grand or if not more grand than a computer?

Are squirrels smarter than us because they are able to collect 250 nuts in less than 3 days?

Are dogs and cats smarter because they are able to sense danger from a mile away?

Every species has there own ability - humans have developed over time to use the earth's resources, to a far greater extent than animals.