adaptation of tools

[vslayer]

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8073

well this discovery seems to prove that gorillas are capable of concious thought. they dont just put a stick down a hole because they know it will come out with ants on it. they have a conciousness of other things, they know that the stick is subject to the same environment as them.

 

[Ophiolite]

Intelligence and consciousness are not necessarily the same thing.
There was plenty of evidence before this that gorillas were conscious. I fail to see how the use of tools in any way adds to that evidence.

 

[spidergoat]

I think vslayer means higher reasoning.

 

[Avatar]

There was plenty of evidence before this that gorillas were conscious

Even plants are concious.
Like when they turn their leaves to where the Sun is. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliotropism )
The plant knows where the Sun is even if it doesn't know that it is a plant.
There are different levels of the complexity of consciousness
and like the one plants it's very minute and primitive, but imho that's a form of consciousness.

This is just my oppinion and you are free to laugh at me

p.s. In the gorilla case it is interesting that they used tools for something other than getting a food, i.e., other that the most dire need.

 

[Ophiolite]

I think vslayer means higher reasoning.

Quite probably. However, while higher reasoning equals intelligence, higher reasoning does not equal consciousness. The two concepts are intimately related, they may represent the opposite sides of the same coin, but they are not the same thing. I believe the distinction is important.

More to the point, and on topic:
1. Gorillas and other primates use tools.
2. The apes have demonstrated that they have a culture.
3. They have shown a capacity for language.
4. They have advanced problem solving capabilities.
5. They give the appearance of possessing consciousness.

Despite the above, before the end of this century, the following will be true, unless we take urgent and concerted efforts now.

Pan troglodytes Extinct
Pan paniscus Extinct
Gorilla gorilla Extinct
Pongo pygmaeus Extinct