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Whale brains are not just larger than human brains. There are several species where the brains are more complex. The complexity and density of folding, somethin
by bmitc 4y ago
Whale brains are not just larger than human brains. There are several species where the brains are more complex. The complexity and density of folding, something we associate with higher intelligence, are higher than human brains, and the areas of the brain associated with emotional intelligence are bigger relative to the rest of the brain. Just search images of whale brains compared to human brains. We are literally smooth brained compared to them. The deep folding of dolphins and orcas, for example, are very interesting.
Whale intelligence is different than primate intelligence, and whales clearly demonstrate much deeper social relations than humans. I think we deeply underestimate the intelligence of whales, misjudging their intelligence because of their lack of technology development, explicitly due to their environs and lack of opposable thumbs and not their intelligence.
- curious_cat_163 4y agoIt is unclear why the "density of folding" would be associated with "higher intelligence". It is also unclear what scale is the "high" and "low" being measured on. Is it evolutionary "fitness"? If so, what is the point of comparing primates with whales? Their environments are completely different and they have clearly evolved different means to gather energy and sustain their lives.
- bmitc 4y ago> It is unclear why the "density of folding" would be associated with "higher intelligence". It’s because it’s a known fact of science. It is called cortical folding or gyrification. Higher folding increases the surface area within the same volume and increases cognitive function.
- koheripbal 4y agoThe theory that higher surface area correlates to higher intelligence is just a theory.
- yieldcrv 4y ago> Abnormal cortical folding has been associated with severe neurological, cognitive and behavioural disorders, such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia. So you either accept that “fact”, or move the goal post backwards to limiting brain folding to cognitive function hypothesis to just humans like that quote was about as well
- ChainOfFools 4y ago> increases the surface area within the same volume verifiable topological fact > and increases cognitive function. unverifiable psychological hypothesis (all three terms are weakly and inconsistently defined)
- bmitc 4y agoGo argue with neurobiologists and published papers then. I read several abstracts before posting my comment. Further, cognitive function lies in the domain of neurobiology, not psychology.
- curious_cat_163 4y agoIt'd be interesting to see these papers if you find time to post URLs/titles.
- sockaddr 4y agoHow does a whale have a “deeper social relationship” than I do with my wife, son, best friend, colleagues, etc. really, I’d like to know what you mean by this in exact terms. I do agree that whales are probably smarter than we’d expect and if they had thumbs and lived in a desert like we do they’d probably have made some contraptions by now but how are you claiming their relationships are deeper?