What assumptions do you take into every thought and conversation you have?I recently read Dr Irene Pepperberg's wonderful book "Alex & Me" about her 30+ year working relationship with an African Grey Parrot, Alex.
Through her work, and in her book Dr Pepperberg considers the acquisition of language in non-primate animals, the nature of intelligence as well as our attitudes and prejudice relating to our place in the animal hierarchy. She wrote that other scientists did not believe her work, nor did they take it seriously and she was attacked for her conclusions from a number of areas. This might be based on a scientific rigour, our reluctance to think outside the box, an unwillingness to question previously held beliefs, or a notion that humans have the only worthwhile definitions and standards to which all life should aspire. It was hard for many people to accept that something with a brain the size of a walnut could understand maths concepts, word formation etc.
Are you secure enough in your beliefs to be open-minded? Many other birds display some intelligence.
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