Even With Their Big Brains Are Humans ‘Intelligent?’

As I sit on the side of a lush green mountain at an elevation of about 6,600 feet watching the spectacular aerial ballet of two magnificent red-tailed hawks set against the crystal clear blue skies of Costa Rica, it’s difficult not to believe that they fly for the pure love and joy of flying.

The experts tell us that that brain volume and intelligence are related and ‘birdbrained’ it may be however, that hawk’s tiny little brain seems to be enough for it to enjoy flying, something that all of us have dreamed about but none of us are capable of doing.

Are humans even capable of achieving that level of joy?

We have yet to find a connection between intelligence and happiness so perhaps like many things, intelligence is overrated? After all, which is most important? Being intelligent or happy?

On the other end of the spectrum, dolphin brains are four to five times larger for their body size when compared to another animal of similar size and dolphins are incredibly intelligent mammals and as they swim and play, it’s hard not to think that dolphins are far happier in their environment than we are.

At a recent Mastermind event in the Bahamas in September 2014, I had a bit of an ethical dilemma swimming with the dolphins (kind of like a vegetarian enjoying a steak dinner) because I don’t like the idea of these beautiful creatures being held captive (which is illegal in Costa Rica) but must confess they are certainly very well cared for and, my wife had been dreaming of this for a long time.

We’ve convinced ourselves that humans are the most intelligent creatures on earth but, as we pollute our rivers and oceans, burning huge swathes of land that poisons our air to plant crops not for food, but for fuel for our cars, it appears that we are rushing headlong towards total self-annihilation and with these actions, are we really demonstrating a higher level of intelligence?

Maybe the Buddhists have it all wrong?

Maybe the ultimate rebirth is not as a human at all but as a dolphin or, maybe a hawk who, unbeknownst to us, have already reached enlightenment fifty million years ago. Maybe the dreams we all have of ‘flying’ are a glimpse of what true enlightenment really is …

Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1: How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, 2: Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore and 3. ¿Cómo Comprar Bienes Raíces en Costa Rica, Sin Perder Su Camisa?

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.