Animal Intelligence

"What does it mean to say a creature is 'intelligent'?"


First of all, what is intelligence?  Well, intelligence is what determines how well (if at all) we will be able to decipher a problem.  It helps us to learn about the world in which we live, and it assists us in making this world better for all of us.  Without intelligence, the world would be completely chaotic.

Now that we have defined intelligence, we must tackle the question that asks, "What does it mean to say a creature is intelligent?".  I suppose it means that the creature can think about a problem, and find a solution that isn't simply based on instinct.

I will use two examples of animal intelligence today.  First of all, I will use the chimpanzee.  The chimpanzee has been known to "problem-solve" in peculiar ways.  Sometimes it will actually make tools for finding food! It will take a piece of grassy twig, remove the leaves, and then stick the grassy twig into a termite mound.  When it pulls out the grassy twig, there are generally several termites stuck to the grass.  In this way, the chimpanzee has used the grassy twig to "fish" for a termite snack.

The next example that I will use is the elephant.  They have been known to paint pictures, they form lasting bonds with family members, and they seem to exhibit self-recognition in mirrors!

Even though animals can't create spacecrafts, or create a car engine like us, they certainly seem to have intelligence to some degree.

Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think!      

Ethics and the Development of History

"What is the view of the biblical materials on the role of ethics in the development of history?"


     In the development of history, biblical materials have influenced ethics by a very large degree.  We see this when we give money to the poor and needy, help build homes for those who don't have any, etc.  
     
     There are lots of people out there who don't believe in God and yet, they do their best to help those in need.  Why? The answer is simple.  In every society, people have believed in some form of morality that was handed down from one generation to the next.  For many, what was handed down to them was biblical ethics.  For instance, it is illegal to commit murder.  Where else do we find this law?  We find it in Exodus chapter 20, verse 13.  "Thou shalt not kill."  What is another law that we have in the world today?  Let's look at Exodus chapter 20, verse 15.   "Thou shalt not steale."   These are two very well known laws in today's world, as well as the world of the past.     
     
     Although some might not agree with everything in the Bible, you have to admit that biblical materials did play a huge part in ethics, and the history of the world in general.

     Thank you very much for reading, and please let me know what you think! 
   

"Discuss some of the reasons offered in the Psalms for long-term optimism."

    As we read through the Psalms we find David and others in many different situations.  The people in Psalms find themselves in quite a "pickle" very frequently but they never deserted God.  Why?  Because they knew that as long as they followed God's instructions, that he would protect them from their enemies and occasionally, themselves.  In return for their "anti-desertion" God never deserted them.  He would sometimes leave for a certain portion of time, but he would NEVER desert those who truly loved him.  The people in Psalms were sad at times but knew that God would prevail over the wicked and this is the reason for their long-term optimism.  Without this optimism, the people in Psalms would be "dead in the water" so to speak. They would only be focusing on the bad and in the end, the bad circumstances would have taken over.
 
     Just like those people in the Psalms, we need long-term optimism in order to prevail over the hard, even dangerous situations in our own lives.  Weather it be in politics, sickness, or our own little problems in every day life, stay optimistic!  The Psalms teach us that if we don't, then we will eventually be taken over by our grief and sorrow.  Don't let those ridiculous things weigh you down!  Get up, brush off the dust, and remember just like those in the Psalms, you will prevail!