Animal Intelligence and Evolution/Creation

The bible states that humankind was created as God's special creatures, and indeed this view is probably held widely even by biblical non-literalists. Afterall, common theistic beliefs state that humans have been tainted with original sin, humans go to heaven or hell, humans have a soul. The bible even explicitly states:

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Then God said, "And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small." So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. (Gen 1:26-27)

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Research on animal intelligence, however, implies that we humans are not quite the special creatures that we sometimes think we are. It appears that various animals are capable of language, the ability to grasp some complex concepts, emotions, and self-awareness. Some argue that the difference between human and animal intellect is only a matter of degree; there is no qualitative difference that sets our intelligence apart from those of dogs, dolphins, and chimpanzees. This is no problem for evolution, which raises no barriers against the parallel development of intelligence in different animals. My question is, does this research pose a problem for theists in general, and creationists in particular? If not, how does one reconcile such research with their religious beliefs?

By the way, I invite everyone else to post additional, more insightful links on the nature of animal intelligence. Here's another one that I found on bird brains.

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

No,no problem what so ever. I assume you're asking in relation to the Genesis tales, so if I'm wrong please let me know.Genesis is a collection of human centric tales and myths. Naturally they revolve around us as the central and important characters. But there is nothing there that in anyway implies that everything else is dumb or lacks intelligence.There is the section in Genesis that you didn't quote which is the second half of Genesis one verse 26 where it gives man dominion over all the critters. In my opinion the term "dominion" in that part should be more stewardship or as we and the other critters evolve, perhaps even mentoring.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

That's part of what I meant, but I was speaking about other beliefs as well. For example, I have heard it stated before that only humans have souls. But if animals are found to be intelligent, communicating, feeling creatures, then why should they not have souls as well? (For that matter, what is a soul? But that's another discussion entirely.)And I've received the impression that a dominant feature in Christian faith (for some) is that man is special. This is part of why there are objections to evolution; some feel that humankind could not have evolved from apes. This is also partly why there was resistance to advances in cosmology; the old Church couldn't stand the idea that the earth wasn't in the center of the solar system. An admittedly outdated but decidedly religious way of looking at it is that man stands near the top of the Great Chain of Being, right below God and above all the other creatures of the earth. Religious beliefs, and christian ones in particular, seem to promote a very human-centric world view, in which humans are qualitatively superior to other living things.But research in animal intelligence challenges this notion. For one thing, it suggests that the only difference is a matter of degree. There are sayings that our human ability to do so-and-so separates us from the animals, whether it be to laugh, grieve, use tools, control lust, or whatever. But animal research shows that animals are capable of doing many if not all of these things. They also raise the idea that animals may in the far future evolve to become as intelligent as us, if not moreso. And the number of intelligent species is surprising; dogs, primates, dolphins, birds, and squid/octopuses all display surprisingly high degrees of intelligence.In a way, perhaps this is a variation of the question on whether life on other planets is a problem for creationists. Even in that thread, the idea of intelligent life on other planets was raised as being more problematic to christian belief than non-intelligent life.

Well, you are punching a whole host of hot buttons for some folk, that's for sure. Yup, I'm sure that many would say that. I always ask them to show where the Bible or Christian theology shows that ONLY humans might have souls. So far no one has succeeded in convincing me that soul is a wholly human attribute. Why shouldn't other critters have souls? Heaven without dogs, cats, birds, snake or spiders would be sadly lacking. We'll that's true. It's a human centric creation. But then so is society in general. That's why it's so hard to get things like the endagered species legislation passed. Folk see humans and human needs and desires as somewhat more important than those of other species. Why is it surprising that religion is also human centric? I think that's true. Many folk do find the idea of being descended from some other primate line offensive. I don't understand their problems but they do feel that way. Silly, isn't it. Yet often they'll be proud that some ancestor or the other was a horse thief or desperado. I believe that's correct, there is a difference of degree. I've posted elsewhere on this board that I believe humans are unique in four areas, extent, intent, scope and empathy.We are unique in the extent of how we use our intellect. We can imagine things far in the future and wonder about things not even visible to the human eye. We wonder about things that don't even directly effect our existence.We are unique in intent. We can imagine and do things that will not come to fruition even in our lifetimes. We can do great works or great harm in a magnitude far beyond anything nature can produce. Others have pointed out that mosquitos can cause deaths from malaria but that is not the mosquitos intent. It just wants to feed and breed. Others have said that plate techtonics can move whole continenets, and that's certainly true. But that's not the earth's intent, it is simply the result of natural forces.We are unique in the scope of what we can do. We can actually send a probe to other worlds and gather back data. We can cure many deseases and set broken bones. We can build cathedrals and paint masterpieces.And finally, I believe we are unique in our empathy. We can worry about people we have never met, about the lives of those not yet born, about other species and their well being.It's possible that we differ only in degree when it comes to these four traits, but I believe even the most ardent atheist would agree that humans are unique in at least the potential in those areas. I believe that is certainly possible. And as that happens, I really hope that we might adopt the true role of mentor where the teacher learns from the student. What wonderful new ideas might come from that?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

from "Are The Dead Really Dead?" @ Bible Study Guides in English | Amazing Facts 4. What is a "soul"?"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7.Answer: A soul is a living being. A soul is always a combination of two things: body plus breath. A soul cannot exist unless body and breath are combined. God's Word teaches that we are souls.

So anything that breathes and has nostrils has a soul?Hello and welcome, moolmogo!

hello coragyps, thanks, and welcomed.i guess that's what a soul is according to Genesis.
maybe you guys were thinking about spirit instead of soul.

given that the concept came from india where atma means both soul and breath (mahatma = great souled one aka gandhi and gautama) ...

Have you seen the dolphin rings?
http://www.earthtrust.org/delrings.html

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we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
{{{Buddha walks off laughing with joy}}}

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given that the concept came from india where atma means both soul and breath (mahatma = great souled one aka gandhi and gautama) ...

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you are correct, soul means breath also in scripture. Isms have placed a meaning on this it does not possess.
made from dust, add breath, equals living soul. remove breath, equals dead soul. and never never immortal soul.
spirit also falls into that category, it is no more than air.
Interestingly simple, ain't it?As for animals communicating? How else would they find one another in the dark? Just watched a program about giraffes, and their low-frequency communication. Very cool.

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"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
Hey, Albert, I agree!

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Have you seen the dolphin rings?

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this is awesome. I'm forever blowing bubbles, but cannot compete here.

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"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
Hey, Albert, I agree!

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My question is, does this research pose a problem for theists in general, and creationists in particular? If not, how does one reconcile such research with their religious beliefs?

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the serpent spoke to Eve in fluent English.

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"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
Hey, Albert, I agree!

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Have you seen the dolphin rings?

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That's amazing! I'd always loved dolphins as a kid, and I used to read everything I could get my hands on, but I've never read about this before!