I recently had a life-changing experience in Hawaii while kayaking with friends when we were visited by a whale. There is no doubt that this majestic being was coherent, aware of us, and enjoying our company as much as we were enjoying hers. So we put our snorkeling masks on and jumped in the water where we could easily see the whale gently make eye contact with each of us. With one thrust of her tail she could have left us in an instant but she stayed for over an hour. This mammal with a brain bigger than ours and complex migration songs that change every year made me question the nature of intelligence and our place as humans in this world. So I did a little research…

Emotional Intelligence: Anyone with pets knows that animals are coherent, able to communicate, and have emotions. Emotional intelligence and empathy are languages that many animals understand. In many cases they may be more in touch on the feeling/emotional level than humans are. There are many different kinds of intelligence that are worth exploring. Captain Paul Watson makes a good argument in a Facebook post that perhaps humans concept of intelligence is anthropocentric and lacking in breadth. For all of our brilliance humans seem to have forgotten how to live in harmony with our environment.

For example, emotional intelligence acknowledges a form of intelligence which is internal and can not be easily measured empirically but plays a major role in the success of an individual. Intuition, compassion, empathy are usually considered feelings, but these are actually skills and non-physical tools that we can use to ascend the social ladder. Meditation could also be considered a non-physical tool that changes our biology, reduces stress and opens the mind. We may be at the very beginning of understanding that tools do not need to be physical or easily measurable by traditional science in order to be valuable.

Watson starts early in his essay with the bold assertion that, “Biological science is provoking us to shatter our image of human superiority.” Though indigenous wisdom has always considered humans a part of the circle of life rather than above it, that perennial wisdom was almost completely destroyed by generations of colonialism. The very roots of colonial indoctrination not only conclude that humans are superior to all other life forms, it also considers some humans as superior to other humans.

Social Darwinism is a Myth: This concept was an effort to justify the notion of superiority of some humans over other humans, animals and nature. Superiority in this context was solely determined by available weaponry and tools. Though we owe much respect to western science we must also understand the cultural and religious backdrop that has been driving our conquest of nature. We must also be willing to explore the assumptions within science if we are to evolve it. Perhaps we will move more towards a harmonious relationship with out environment and learn to collaborate with nature.

Challenging Scientific Assumptions: Rupert Sheldrake attempted to do this during a TED Talk entitled, The Science Delusion and his presentation was banned. This talk went viral because people welcomed an opportunity to open a dialogue about assumptions within science. Science must always be questioned and challenged in order for it to evolve. In this context perhaps humans may not possess the highest form of intelligence on the planet. Open your mind and consider:

"We willingly accept the idea of intelligence in a life-form only if the intelligence displayed is on the same evolutionary wavelength as our own. Technology automatically indicates intelligence. An absence of technology translates into an absence of intelligence.

Dolphins and whales do not display intelligence in a fashion recognizable to this conditioned perception of what intelligence is, and thus for the most part, we are blind to a broader definition of what intelligence can be.

Evolution molds our projection of intelligence. Humans evolved as tool-makers, obsessed with danger and group aggression. This makes it very difficult for us to comprehend intelligent non-manipulative beings whose evolutionary history featured ample food supplies and an absence of fear from external dangers." – Paul Watson

Again it is important to recognize how this attitude has not only been applied to animals but also to indigenous people historically by labeling them "primitive". How we define intelligence is restricted to our definition of intelligence. In order to broaden our definition of intelligence we will need to let go of this archaic belief in superiority.

"Intelligence can also be measured by the ability to live within the bounds of the laws of ecology — to live in harmony with one’s own ecology and to recognize the limitations placed on each species by the needs of an ecosystem. Is the species that dwells peacefully within its habitat with respect for the rights of other species the one that is inferior? Or is it the species that wages a holy war against its habitat, destroying all species that irritate it? What can be said of a species that reproduces beyond the ability of its habitat to support it? What do we make of a species that destroys the diversity that sustains the ecosystem that nourishes it? How is a species to be judged that fouls its water and poisons its own food? On the other hand, how is a species that has lived harmoniously within the boundaries of its ecology to be judged? "– Paul Watson

Watson gets very in-depth and cites the research which compares cranial capacity and brain complexity between humans and sea mammals. At the very least this information is humbling. Paul Watson has given us a lot to think about but probably the greatest gift in his essay can be summarized by this quote from Edward Abbey:

It’s not enough to understand the natural world, the point is to defend and preserve it. – Edward Abbey

Watson is not merely a philosopher, he puts his words and beliefs into action. For 35 years he has been defending the biodiversity and wildlife in our oceans. I highly recommend reading the entire essay which is available here and watching his recent video during Live from Earth on PORTL. You can even support Watson's important conservation work by visiting his website here.

To even consider that we are not superior to other species is delightfully humbling. It can restore a childlike sense of awe for life which also inspires a desire to preserve our environment. Our tools are wonderful, our science is also wonderful, but these should be used to enhance, celebrate and protect all of life. We must consider that the unconscious, disrespectful use of our tools and science can create unimaginable destruction for ourselves and other species. A healthy future includes humans who are aware of this and who live within the bounds of their ecosystem. We have the ability to create worlds or destroy ourselves. Which will you choose?

*This article written by Jacob Devaney (Co-Founder of UNIFY) and adapted for PORTL