- #1
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A fascinating look at the mind of our cousins; how we differ, and what we have in common.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/apegenius/
[watch online]
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/apegenius/
[watch online]
Can Apes Be As Smart As Humans? - A Fascinating Nova Exploration
- Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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Discussion Overview
The discussion explores the cognitive abilities of apes in comparison to humans, particularly focusing on their capacity for language, tool use, and decision-making. Participants reflect on a PBS Nova production that examines these themes, considering the implications for understanding intelligence as a multifaceted concept.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants note that while apes can learn human language and use tools, they may struggle with tasks that dogs can perform, suggesting that intelligence may be perceived differently depending on the criteria used for measurement.
- Others highlight the experiment with children and apes regarding delayed gratification, indicating that both groups performed similarly, which raises questions about cognitive development and decision-making processes.
- One participant points out the contrasting behaviors of apes and children when faced with a transparent puzzle box, suggesting that children's adherence to instructions may reflect a deeper social learning mechanism that benefits future generations.
- There is a suggestion that the mechanisms behind children's learning and adherence to authority figures could parallel the development of religious beliefs, though this connection remains speculative.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the nature of intelligence and the behaviors exhibited by apes and children, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.
Contextual Notes
The discussion touches on the complexity of defining intelligence and the varying methodologies used to assess cognitive abilities across species, which may depend on specific tasks and contexts.
- #2
SW VandeCarr
- 2,199
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Ivan Seeking said:
A great production, but typical of much of the fine work shown on PBS.
I was particularly interested in the way chimps can learn some human language and use tools, but fail at some tasks that dogs can perform. This tends to support the idea that "intelligence" is a multi-faceted thing that probably only exists in the eyes of those who try to measure it as a global entity.
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- #3
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SW VandeCarr said:
My favorite part was when the children were tested to see if they could resist one piece of candy so that they could receive four pieces later. They didn't do much better than the apes!
- #4
Vectus
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Extremely fascinating. Well worth watching.
I find it very interesting that the apes, when presented with the transparent puzzle box, ignored the instructions and just went straight for the candy, while the children continued to follow instructions.
At first glance, the apes' approach seems to be the more reasonable one, but when you take into account the reason behind the children's actions, much more becomes apparent. Being hard-wired to look to adult or 'teacher' figures as a child and unquestioningly absorb what is being taught would lead to knowledge being more efficiently passed on to future generations, who could then build upon it.
Interestingly enough, I think the same mechanism may be responsible for the prosperity of religion...
I find it very interesting that the apes, when presented with the transparent puzzle box, ignored the instructions and just went straight for the candy, while the children continued to follow instructions.
At first glance, the apes' approach seems to be the more reasonable one, but when you take into account the reason behind the children's actions, much more becomes apparent. Being hard-wired to look to adult or 'teacher' figures as a child and unquestioningly absorb what is being taught would lead to knowledge being more efficiently passed on to future generations, who could then build upon it.
Interestingly enough, I think the same mechanism may be responsible for the prosperity of religion...