Is 'Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are?' Worth Reading?

2025-12-31 21:50:42 314

3 Answers

Nicholas
Nicholas
2026-01-04 10:15:28
Three reasons I’d recommend this: First, it’s accessible—no PhD required to enjoy stories like a gorilla teaching her baby sign language. Second, it’s provocative; you’ll start debating whether 'instinct' vs. 'learning' even matters after reading about bumblebees solving puzzles. Lastly, it’s oddly comforting? Realizing we’re not alone in complex thinking makes the world feel richer. My only critique: I wish there were more on marine life! Still, a must-read for curious minds.
Owen
Owen
2026-01-04 10:48:57
Ever had a book make you side-eye your dog like, 'What else are you hiding from me?' That’s this book in a nutshell. De Waal’s work is a humbling deep dive into how we’ve historically misjudged animal cognition—often because we test them on human skills (like language) instead of their own strengths. The chapter on chimpanzees outplaying humans at memory games blew my mind! It’s not just about IQ; it’s about reframing intelligence in a way that respects different species’ unique adaptations.

Some parts get technical (fair warning for psychology newbies), but the anecdotes balance it out—like bonobos sharing food without prompting, or birds crafting hooks to catch insects. It left me marveling at how much we still don’t know, and itching to revisit classics like 'Animal Farm' with fresh eyes. Definitely worth it if you enjoy science that challenges assumptions without feeling preachy.
Ivan
Ivan
2026-01-06 17:01:03
I picked up 'Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?' on a whim after hearing a podcast mention it, and wow, it completely reshaped how I see animal intelligence. Frans de Waal doesn’t just dump facts—he weaves stories about clever octopuses, empathetic elephants, and problem-solving crows into this fascinating critique of how humans underestimate other species. The book challenges the arrogance of assuming we’re the only 'smart' ones, and it’s packed with 'whoa' moments that made me pause mid-read to text friends like, 'Did you know dolphins recognize themselves in mirrors?!'

What really stuck with me was de Waal’s argument about 'anthropodenial'—the refusal to acknowledge animals’ emotional or mental complexity because it feels 'too human.' It’s not some dry academic lecture, though; his tone is playful and occasionally sassy, especially when calling out outdated research methods. By the end, I was obsessively Googling videos of parrots using tools. If you love thought-provoking science that feels like a conversation with a witty friend, this one’s a gem.
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