Why are humans so much smarter than any other animal?

Why do humans continually grow intellectually, while animals, such as dogs go on forever with the same basic instincts? I have heard that such animals like the Dolphin have an "alien intelligence" or an intelligence unlike most other animals, is this the same with humans? Why is the human intellect so much greater and capable of change?

 

give dogs and other animals time to change.By then we shall be higher to though we may not even remember the year 2005.Lost like acient civlzation. Dolphins are the closest thing to us.

 

Cause we eat the other animals and steal their power.

 

are humans really so capable of overcoming their basic instincts?

 

It comes down to what you need to survive. What do dogs (wolves) need? Teeth, legs, good lungs and heart, pack instinct. What do humans need? brain, and dexterous hands. Once we developed a complex culture, biological evolution took a backseat to cultural/technological evolution. We externalized it, in a sense, our developments occur via cultural and tech developments, saving our body the trouble and thus we can change far more rapidly (this means better survival in changing conditions).

What do dolphins need? tail fins, and sonar. the sonar is emmitted from their brain or an organ close to it, so the area is developed. Also, their social system is pretty developed which requires a more complex brain to deal with (same goes for us, and even dogs to a degree. We all depend on complex group dynamics to survive).

 

I understand that, but do humans really need everything we have developed in order to live? Do we need movies or games or anything else besides shelter food and means of communication to live? We have surpassed our basic needs of survival, and we just keep growing and growing.

 

no, but it's a sort of side effect. We have a brain that allows for higher reasoning, complex social institutions, and art. Though it evolved to help us survive, us, a species with no large teeth or claws and who is relatively slow, it has what are called emergent properties. That is to say, it evolved for survival, but with that evolution came the ability for all the extras that we have.

 

Just as TrippinBTM explained: the trait unique to humans ,self-awareness, gave rise to creativity, imagination, opinion, beauty etc. This is the key factor that separates us from other animals.

To understand evolution, genetics, neuroscience and biology is to better understand who you are, what you are, and where you came from. I highly suggest reading books on the subjects.

 

We have a greater potential for spiritual growth. We have three "brains" or awareness centers, whereas animals have only two. God's greatest hope has been planted in our beings and usually goes completely unfulfilled, because we act much more like the two brained animals that the possessor of the three awarenesses necessary to find our way back to God.