If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal

1. Human intelligence is not inherently superior to animal cognition

We dilute a real, powerful and observable human emotion by granting other animals the same emotions so freely without any scientific rigour.

Cognitive complexity doesn't equal superiority. While humans possess unique cognitive abilities like causal reasoning and language, these don't necessarily make us "better" than other animals. Many species demonstrate remarkable problem-solving skills and social intelligence without human-like cognition.

Evolutionary success favors simplicity. In terms of longevity and adaptability, simpler organisms like bacteria and crocodiles have far outperformed humans. Our complex cognition may even be a liability, leading to existential risks like climate change and nuclear warfare.

Animal cognition is diverse and specialized. Each species has evolved cognitive abilities suited to its environment and needs. For example:

• Bees can count and solve complex spatial problems
• Octopuses display tool use and problem-solving skills
• Dolphins use echolocation to create detailed mental maps of their surroundings

2. Consciousness exists in various forms across the animal kingdom

Why would an organism seek out mind-altering substances when there isn't a mind to alter?

Consciousness is not unique to humans. Scientific evidence suggests that consciousness, defined as subjective experience, exists in many animal species. This includes mammals, birds, and potentially even insects.

Animal consciousness manifests differently. While animals may not have human-like self-awareness or abstract thought, they experience:

• Emotions and feelings
• Sensory perceptions
• Decision-making processes
• Goal-directed behavior

Measuring animal consciousness is challenging. Due to the subjective nature of consciousness and the inability to communicate directly with animals, scientists use behavioral and neurological indicators to infer conscious experiences in other species.

3. Human morality can lead to more harm than animal norms

Humans might currently be succeeding as a species not because of, but despite, our moral aptitude.

Animal norms vs. human morality. Animals operate on implicit behavioral norms, while humans develop complex moral systems. However, human morality often leads to more violence and destruction than animal norms.

Morality-driven atrocities. Throughout history, humans have justified horrific acts based on moral grounds:

• Genocide
• Religious persecution
• Colonialism and cultural destruction
• Environmental devastation

Moral reasoning's dark side. Our capacity for moral thinking allows us to rationalize harmful behaviors and create systems of oppression that are far more destructive than anything observed in the animal kingdom.

4. Death wisdom: A uniquely human burden

Among animals, we alone fully anticipate the inevitability of death.

Humans uniquely grasp mortality. While many animals have a basic understanding of death, only humans fully comprehend their own inevitable demise. This "death wisdom" profoundly impacts our psychology and behavior.

Death wisdom's double-edged nature:

• Positive: Drives creation, meaning-making, and legacy-building
• Negative: Causes existential dread, anxiety, and potentially destructive behavior

Coping mechanisms for death awareness. Humans have developed various ways to deal with death wisdom:

• Religion and afterlife beliefs
• Cultural immortality projects
• Psychological denial and compartmentalization

5. Deception and lying are hallmarks of human intelligence

We are hardwired to be duped.

Human capacity for deception is unparalleled. While some animals engage in deceptive behaviors, humans have elevated lying to an art form through language and complex cognitive abilities like theory of mind.

Lying's evolutionary advantages:

• Social manipulation
• Resource acquisition
• Self-preservation
• Group cohesion

The paradox of human deception. Despite our propensity for lying, we also have a strong tendency to believe others, creating a unique vulnerability to misinformation and manipulation.

6. Prognostic myopia: The paradox of human foresight

Humans simply do not have the ability to evaluate the consequences of our actions in the long term using the same criteria we use for short-term decisions.

Short-term focus vs. long-term consequences. Humans have the unique ability to envision and plan for the future, yet we struggle to make decisions that prioritize long-term outcomes over immediate gratification.

Causes of prognostic myopia:

• Evolutionary adaptations favoring immediate survival
• Difficulty in emotionally connecting with future scenarios
• Cognitive biases and heuristics that favor short-term thinking

Implications for global challenges. Prognostic myopia contributes to humanity's struggle with addressing long-term threats like climate change, despite clear scientific evidence of future catastrophe.

7. The exceptionalism paradox: Human intelligence as a double-edged sword

Intelligence sometimes results in very stupid behavior.

Human cognitive abilities are both extraordinary and problematic. Our unique mental capacities have led to remarkable achievements but also create unprecedented risks and challenges.

Examples of the exceptionalism paradox:

• Scientific advancements vs. weapons of mass destruction
• Technological progress vs. environmental degradation
• Complex social systems vs. systemic oppression and inequality

Balancing act. The challenge for humanity is to harness the benefits of our cognitive abilities while mitigating the risks and negative consequences they create.

8. Pleasure maximization: A universal measure of cognitive value

I think both Brendan and I can agree that the one thing that all animals value is the maximization of pleasure and the minimization of misery.

Pleasure as a universal currency. Across species, the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of suffering drives behavior and decision-making. This common ground provides a basis for evaluating cognitive value.

Redefining success beyond human metrics. Rather than judging intelligence solely on human achievements, we can consider how effectively different cognitive systems contribute to pleasure maximization and suffering reduction.

Ethical implications:

• Consideration of animal welfare in human activities
• Reevaluation of human practices that cause suffering to other species
• Potential for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to life on Earth

Human and Animal Cognition's Podcast on Twitter: "If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal" by @justindgregg is a mind-bending exploration of animal cognition that challenges our assumptions about human intelligence.

Here are 8 key insights from the book: 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/HWW12345678

1/ Human intelligence is not inherently superior to animal cognition. While we have unique abilities, many animals demonstrate remarkable problem-solving and social intelligence without human-like cognition.

2/ Consciousness exists in various forms across the animal kingdom. Scientific evidence suggests many species experience subjective awareness, emotions, and decision-making processes.

3/ Human morality can lead to more harm than animal norms. Our complex moral systems have often been used to justify atrocities and oppression on a scale not seen in the animal kingdom.

4/ Death wisdom is a uniquely human burden. Our awareness of mortality profoundly impacts our psychology, driving both creative achievements and existential dread.

5/ Deception and lying are hallmarks of human intelligence. We've elevated lying to an art form, but paradoxically remain vulnerable to being duped.

6/ Prognostic myopia is the paradox of human foresight. We can envision the future, yet struggle to make decisions prioritizing long-term outcomes over immediate gratification.

7/ The exceptionalism paradox: Human intelligence is a double-edged sword. Our cognitive abilities have led to remarkable achievements but also create unprecedented risks and challenges.

8/ Pleasure maximization may be a universal measure of cognitive value. Across species, the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of suffering drives behavior, providing a common ground for evaluating intelligence.

This book will challenge your assumptions about human superiority and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the diverse cognitive abilities found throughout the animal kingdom.

Human and Animal Cognition's Podcast on Twitter: What aspects of animal cognition do you find most fascinating or surprising? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #AnimalIntelligence #Cognition

Last updated: January 25, 2025