Differential Distinguishment

Distinguishing differences could be the key to intellect.

If intelligence evolved from animals to humans, by the brain being able to access more accurate details of memories, in order to make a more accurate prediction of a given situation, then distinguishing the differences in circumstances seems to be crucial.

I’m basing this on the assumption that animals use mainly subconscious mindsets to take action, as opposed to humans who sometimes use conscious analysis to make a decision. Animals use subconscious to simply take whichever action has the most significant feedback connected to it, within memory of the closest resembling circumstances to the present. Whereas humans can decide which action to take, by analysing memories of resembling circumstances, and of relevant factors within.

Under this assumption, the key to being more intelligent, seems to be the ability to determine more specific differences within any circumstances. The faster, yet more basic brain function of subconscious, takes a more general analysis of the circumstances, by comparing them to whichever simple memory matches best. But the more complex function of conscious thought, picks the more specific relevant factors within the circumstances, to result in a more accurate prediction. If analysis of more specific details stored in memory, causes a more accurate prediction, then distinguishing differentials seems to be 1 of the main causes of higher intelligence.

Within any circumstances, in order to make the most accurate prediction, and therein decision, any minor detailed differences should be determined. If the prediction of the circumstances is trying to make an estimate of the result, then any minor detail differences can be distinguished, then determined of their influence on the end result.

The overall concept seems quite clear and logical. The more specific the details of factors known within any circumstances, the more accurately the cause and effect of all the factors can be determined. By more accurately determining the effect of the details, the most accurate prediction of the overall result, can be made, using this prospect of Differential Distinguishment.