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A review by alex_ellermann
Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de Waal
3.0
BLUF: No, we aren’t.
This book, by one of the world’s leading experts in animal cognition, posits that animals are smart in their own ways. In fact, it argues, it’s fruitless to create experiments which try to force various animals to think like humans, then measure their cognition using our processes and abilities as reference points.
Octopi think like octopi (in really fascinating ways that are extremely alien to human cognition). Chimps think like chimps, dogs like dogs, etc. By deciding that human cognition is the apex system, then measuring animals against it, we humans miss a chance to understand creatures for what they are.
This is a compelling argument, well made in the form of a science book for laymen. I found the author’s examples to be clear, his reasoning cogent, and the book a good use of my time.
Recommended to all those whose interest in piqued by the title.
This book, by one of the world’s leading experts in animal cognition, posits that animals are smart in their own ways. In fact, it argues, it’s fruitless to create experiments which try to force various animals to think like humans, then measure their cognition using our processes and abilities as reference points.
Octopi think like octopi (in really fascinating ways that are extremely alien to human cognition). Chimps think like chimps, dogs like dogs, etc. By deciding that human cognition is the apex system, then measuring animals against it, we humans miss a chance to understand creatures for what they are.
This is a compelling argument, well made in the form of a science book for laymen. I found the author’s examples to be clear, his reasoning cogent, and the book a good use of my time.
Recommended to all those whose interest in piqued by the title.