What Makes an Animal Intelligent?

Humans define intelligence differently for themselves and for animals. While intelligence or critical thinking is valued in humans, when animals display similar traits, they are often seen as being more individualistic and, therefore, harder to tame. Animals are considered intelligent based on their utility to humanity and how easily they can be tamed.

Because humans are considered more intelligent than animals, they tend to assume that their judgment is superior. When an animal displays what is seen as inferior intelligence, it is often labeled as “dumb” because it doesn’t recognize humans as its masters. Aligning with humans can offer benefits, such as increased chances of survival through protection and care. It is a symbiotic relationship.

Humans tend to select for calm-natured and tamable animals if they plan to keep them for a long time, as in the cases of horses and cows. But this is also culture-dependent.

The Case of Cows

Indian native cows (Bos indicus) tend to have a calm nature since they are more likely to spend most of their lives with humans rather than being used for beef production, as is the case with Bos taurus (cows in the rest of the world).

Even though the natural temperament of Bos indicus is more reactive or skittish, it is well-suited to the harsh Indian environment.

Additionally, Bos indicus tend to be extremely maternal compared to Bos taurus. This is a valuable trait, particularly in dairy-dependent systems where long-term herd stability and calf survival are essential for sustained milk production. Good maternal instincts play a critical role in ensuring the survival and continuity of the herd in societies that rely heavily on dairy rather than meat.

Consequently, animals that have adapted to a master-slave relationship with humans are often considered the most intelligent.

Horse vs Donkeys

Donkeys, often revered as the wisest of all equines, formed the enduring backbone of commerce and labor, steadfast and true. In contrast, horses were creatures of mysteries, serving not only as the noble chariots and a war machine of the preindustrial era but also as the elegant cars that propelled society forward.

But donkeys are often considered “dumb” because they lack the utility of a horse—i.e., they aren’t willing to be blunt tools of humanity, following their master’s whims. A donkey has a strong sense of preservation and doesn’t get spooked as easily as a horse. He won’t jump over a ditch because he cares too much about himself.

A proper tool is one that becomes one with its owner and shares the same destiny, be it life or death. Each is dependent on the other for survival.

Cats vs Dogs

The argument regarding whether dogs or cats are better has been highly controversial, but it’s something I would like to touch on here.

Dogs, as a reflection of humanity, evolved in tandem with us—prioritizing cooperation over independence. They were used particularly for hunting, tracking, and herd protection and rearing.

Cats, on the other hand, were also used but were mostly limited to hunting pests like rats. You don’t need much directional decision-making from a human point of view—cats handle it automatically. Thus, cats and dogs have evolved for different utilities.

Consequently, cats tend to be more independent in their behavior, while dogs need more training and guidance from their human companions. This means that dogs often follow human cues without question. This, however, adds an extra layer of responsibility for humans who choose to keep dogs, as their welfare depends heavily on proper guidance and training.

In contrast, while cats are independent and require less direction, that independence can come at a cost: their self-reliance sometimes leads them to wander off, potentially putting themselves in dangerous situations, and they might not develop the same dependency on humans—making them seem distant.

Similarly, group identity can operate under a master-slave dynamic, where individual members tend to adopt the behavior and identity of the group as a whole.

Parallels in Human Societies

If we draw parallels with our interpersonal relationships, we can see that similar dynamics may apply in human parent-child relationships.

These dynamics can also be observed in Asian societies like India or Japan, where environments are more ethnocentric and follow a strict hierarchical system in which the authority figure is revered. This possibly evolved due to harsher or more unpredictable environments where high intelligence was not always beneficial and wisdom proved to have greater utility.

Conclusion

Being naturally anthropocentric, humans view themselves as the most important, leading to a cognitive contradiction: we praise our intelligence while dismissing it in animals. In conclusion, this inconsistency distorts how we value and understand intelligence in the natural world.

We must also remember that animals show their own kind of intelligence, often suited perfectly to their way of life—even if it doesn’t match human standards. While our survival depends on living in harmony with domesticated animals, we should treat them with the respect they deserve, no matter how useful they may be to us.