Human Advantage

Is there a significant advantage which humans have, over all other animals?

Often the question is asked, what makes humans unique? Do we have any particular significant advantage of capabilities? Often when specific abilities of humans are considered, there can be found examples of other species of animals with the same abilities. For example, some other species of animals also use tools, communicate, create art, have hierarchal communities, etc. But perhaps the difference in degree of these abilities, between humans and other species, is overlooked. Perhaps there is 1 underlying capability which causes all these other abilities. 

The ability of a significantly increased level of intelligence should have a ripple effect, causing a high degree of effective ability in many areas of a species functions. Modern science may typically dismiss intelligence as a valid distinguishment since experiments which measure intelligence are not very accurate or regimented at the time. But just because something isn't distinctly proven through experiment, doesn't mean common consideration should dismiss a concept as quickly as science does. There can be many aspects of suggestive evidence to consider for a concept in philosophy, making it significantly probable, before technology and experimental evidence shifts it to science. 

I explained more detail of what I mean by “intelligence”, in my last post; Intelligence Inference. I also suggested general methods of estimating intelligence, based on the 3 components; abilities to problem solve, make accurate predictions, and achieve goals. Based on this concept of intelligence, it should be fairly noticeable that humans have a significantly higher degree of intelligence than any other animal. 

A key method of function of the brain, which allows this increase of intelligence, seems to be comprehension of cause and effect (as I further explained in a post from 1.5+ yrs ago; Carry the Concept). This allows the ability to make connections in memory of more specific factors which cause results. Accessing memories of more particular causes of effects, allows this information to be applied (or “carried”) to new situations involving similar factors or concepts. Specific factors causing effects, is the aspect which is accessed in memory, of how the factors interact, as I further explained seems to be the key component for consciousness, in a post from 2+ yrs ago; Conscious Comprehension. 

In many cases, animals can problem solve (depending on the definition), predict, and achieve goals, but it should be observable that the majority of the time, they are using subconscious reactions combined with instinct, and the degree of effectivity should generally be far less than human comprehension. I explained how subconscious reaction can still cause a minor degree of these abilities, in my 2nd last post; Adaptive Intelligence. 

For humans, this relevant increase in intelligence should cause an increased advantage for many particular abilities that I mentioned at the beginning. Comprehension of cause and effect, should allow a much more varying use of tools which are more effective for their intended function. Understanding of complex language can allow much more accurate communication, to more accurately understand other individuals, and vastly share and learn useful information. Art can be created in many more forms with understanding of preference of appealing aspects, and societies can be organised in cooperation for accomplishment. 

It may not be distinctly scientifically measurable or proven as of yet, but it seems that 1 function of humans is likely the core cause of many other effective advantages. The significant increase in degree of intelligence, through comprehension of cause and effect, seems to be the notable; Human Advantage.