Which is more intelligent, the bonobo or chimpanzee? How do their intelligences differ?
To quote Leakey- it is increasingly imperative that we redefine the nature of
“Man” in order to break free from the presumptuous & destructive tendencies of a
certain Civilizational motif to exalt Humans over the Natural world.
That said- both Bonobos & Chimpanzees reflect societal dynamics that eeirely echo Human sexual dynamics.
1- Consider the fact that both Bonobos & Chimpanzees live in roughly similar polygynous societies with high female dispersal.
2- Consider the fact that Bonobos have to endure to a far less degree the vicissitudes of nature, since they live in a more fruitful & productive territory than Chimpanzees.
3- Consider the fact that - owing to said natural bounty- Bonobos have a lesser incentive to form Male warparties to contest fruit tree patches or termite mounds, instead having Female coalitions who often threaten & violently subdue protesting Males.
4- Consider the fact that- owing to said agency posssessed by Female coalitionssexual reproduction is often dictated by higher-ranking females who, often, aid their sons in sexually coercing younger females, with suspected cases of what could be termed “abduction”.
5- Consider the fact that- owing to said cooperation between Mothers & Sons, and their fortunate Clime- there is a marked predilection to Neoteny within the Bonobo physiology that renders them unfit for some of the more physical demands of the Natural World.
6- Consider the fact that- owing to said lowered demands for resource-based selection and existence of Female Coalitions- the sexual domination of the leading Male Bonobo is far more absolute than his corresponding Chimpanzee
7- Consider the fact that if not for the river Congo betwixt them, Chimpanzees would've eaten Bonobos alive.
All things are manifested according to their own innate nature. As such one's opinions about the intelligence of the Great Apes is in itself subjective and- all too often- a vehicle of assumed Human Supremacy over the Natural World on basis of the Humans' allegedly higher IQ (a dubious measure in itself). Given my brief explanation of the societal differences between Bonobos & Chimpanzees, it can be observed that both are merely reacting to their own Worlds
That said- both Bonobos & Chimpanzees reflect societal dynamics that eeirely echo Human sexual dynamics.
1- Consider the fact that both Bonobos & Chimpanzees live in roughly similar polygynous societies with high female dispersal.
2- Consider the fact that Bonobos have to endure to a far less degree the vicissitudes of nature, since they live in a more fruitful & productive territory than Chimpanzees.
3- Consider the fact that - owing to said natural bounty- Bonobos have a lesser incentive to form Male warparties to contest fruit tree patches or termite mounds, instead having Female coalitions who often threaten & violently subdue protesting Males.
4- Consider the fact that- owing to said agency posssessed by Female coalitionssexual reproduction is often dictated by higher-ranking females who, often, aid their sons in sexually coercing younger females, with suspected cases of what could be termed “abduction”.
5- Consider the fact that- owing to said cooperation between Mothers & Sons, and their fortunate Clime- there is a marked predilection to Neoteny within the Bonobo physiology that renders them unfit for some of the more physical demands of the Natural World.
6- Consider the fact that- owing to said lowered demands for resource-based selection and existence of Female Coalitions- the sexual domination of the leading Male Bonobo is far more absolute than his corresponding Chimpanzee
7- Consider the fact that if not for the river Congo betwixt them, Chimpanzees would've eaten Bonobos alive.
All things are manifested according to their own innate nature. As such one's opinions about the intelligence of the Great Apes is in itself subjective and- all too often- a vehicle of assumed Human Supremacy over the Natural World on basis of the Humans' allegedly higher IQ (a dubious measure in itself). Given my brief explanation of the societal differences between Bonobos & Chimpanzees, it can be observed that both are merely reacting to their own Worlds
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