I haven't yet read the comments to see if this issue has already been considered. I've been fascinated by non-human intelligence for many years, in particular for orcas as it seems likely that they are the most intelligent non-human life on our planet.
One area of consideration that I believe should be investigated is how brains are used. A cortical homunculus for a human shows that a great deal of human brain activity is devoted to the use of hands. e.g. manipulation of the environment. The orca lacks hands. Ergo much less brain activity devoted to environmental manipulation. What an orca does have is primary perception of the environment by sonar. This is a far more sophisticated and complex means of perception than humans possess & likely a greater driver of brain activity & processing needs.
Often, measurements of intelligence focus on "how much like us." I doubt that is a good criteria
I haven't yet read the comments to see if this issue has already been considered. I've been fascinated by non-human intelligence for many years, in particular for orcas as it seems likely that they are the most intelligent non-human life on our planet.
One area of consideration that I believe should be investigated is how brains are used. A cortical homunculus for a human shows that a great deal of human brain activity is devoted to the use of hands. e.g. manipulation of the environment. The orca lacks hands. Ergo much less brain activity devoted to environmental manipulation. What an orca does have is primary perception of the environment by sonar. This is a far more sophisticated and complex means of perception than humans possess & likely a greater driver of brain activity & processing needs.
Often, measurements of intelligence focus on "how much like us." I doubt that is a good criteria