Evolution has always favored the fittest. The creatures that were able to adapt themselves according to the changing times, evolved to be more advanced beings.
Humans, for that matter, consider themselves to be the most advanced beings on the planet. Human beings are animals, not plants. Among animals, we belong to the family of African apes- gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos.
However, what has been a subject of huge discussion over the years is that- "are human beings smarter than other animals?" If they are, then what is the difference between a human brain and an animal’s brain? In this article, we try and figure out the basic differences between humans and animals and what makes them smarter. Take a look:
Humans are exclusively animals. They are not plants in any way, i.e. they share almost all the traits, both physically, and biologically, with animals. Human beings evolved from the ape family, and their closest ancestors are the African apes. In fact, the African apes share more similarities with humans than they do with their Asian cousins.
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So, if we are so close to the African apes, why is it that we managed to evolve into creatures that are way more complex than the apes? What separates a human from an animal? One way of looking at it would be that; we can walk on two legs and have two hands, free to do other things. Then there is the theory of humans having sweat glands, whereas almost all other animals, except for horses, lack.
However, scientists will tell you that what really separate humans from animals are their brains. Experts believe that humans manage to evolve into the beings that they are today because they had bigger brains compared to other animals and even birds. So, what happens when you have a bigger brain? Let’s see.
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Now that we have established the fact that humans have bigger brains, let us also tell you that only having bigger brains do not make humans smarter than other animal species in the universe. It is the complexity that exists in the mechanism of a human’s brain. In fact, a bigger brain doesn’t mean humans have large brains. It means that they have better brain functionality than other animals.
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Let’s take an example: birds are excellent at flying (most of them), some animals are proficient at smelling, some others like bats, are exceptional at hearing. Humans, if you see, are not good at any of the basic things in life. But why is it then that they have managed to evolve into the most superior beings? The answer is simple; humans are the only creatures who know how to apply their brains to things that are not essential for survival. Birds fly to survive, other animals need to smell and hear better to survive. But humans? Well, they have always been good making use of the things in nature, and creating something out of it, to fulfill a need. The fire and the wheel come to our mind effortlessly.
In this aspect, the easiest way to understand the difference between a human and an animal would be to say that humans have minds while other animals have brains.
When we say that, we mean that humans have a sense of appreciation, and what distinguishes them the most from other animals, is that humans are the only species who intentionally disturb the balance of nature by deforestation and pollution.
Humans are way smarter than any other animal on the planet. Yes, animals are smart in their own ways. For instance, Koalas can produce a lot of different sounds, which mean something different. However, in spite of that, there is no creature that comes even close to the intellect that humans are blessed with. While other animals live to survive, humans live to survive along with making their survival easier. They have created a whole language system to communicate, so they don’t have to depend on just sounds to convey messages.
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Who do you think is smarter: humans or animals? Let us know in the comments below.
(Featured Image Courtesy: Answers in Genesis)
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As much as we want to believe in it, animals are no way near humans in terms of intelligence and smartness. The history of evolution has shown us that man is capable of doing things that are not essential for his survival. However, the only that animals do is part of their survival instinct. It is this ability of men to think beyond the realms of survival that places him above animals.