Introduction
In "If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal," Justin Gregg challenges our assumptions about human intelligence and its superiority over other animals. Through a series of thought-provoking examples and scientific insights, Gregg invites us to reconsider whether our unique cognitive abilities are truly advantageous or if they might be leading us down a path of self-destruction.
The book's title is a playful nod to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who famously envied the simple, untroubled existence of cows. Gregg uses this as a starting point to explore the potential downsides of human cognition and the ways in which our intelligence might actually be working against us.
The Peculiar Contest: Humans vs. Animals
Gregg begins by sharing an anecdotal yet telling story from 2012. The British newspaper, the Observer, organized an unusual stock-picking contest. Three teams were given £5,000 each to invest over a year:
- A team of professional investment managers
- A group of schoolchildren
- A cat named Orlando
Surprisingly, Orlando, whose stock-picking method involved randomly dropping a toy mouse onto a grid of numbers, emerged victorious. The cat ended the year with £5,542, outperforming the investment managers (£5,176) and the schoolchildren (£4,840).
While this example is admittedly anecdotal, it serves as a thought-provoking introduction to the book's central theme: the potential limitations and drawbacks of human intelligence.
The Unique Nature of Human Cognition
Gregg argues that human cognition is indeed unique, but not necessarily advantageous. He identifies several key aspects of human thinking that set us apart from other animals:
1. The "Why" Specialists
Humans are characterized as "why specialists," constantly seeking answers to existential questions. This trait is evident in children who bombard adults with endless "why" questions, and it persists into adulthood as we ponder the meaning of life, the nature of reality, and our place in the universe.
While this curiosity has led to remarkable achievements in philosophy, science, and the arts, it also comes with significant drawbacks. Gregg points out that our ability to ask these profound questions can lead to existential crises, depression, and even suicidal thoughts – problems that non-human animals don't face.
2. The Double-Edged Sword of Ideas
Our capacity for abstract thinking and idea generation is another defining feature of human cognition. However, Gregg argues that for every positive invention or philosophical breakthrough, there's often a devastating downside.
He illustrates this point with the tragic example of Nietzsche's work being misappropriated by his anti-Semitic sister to justify the Nazi agenda, despite Nietzsche's own opposition to anti-Semitism. This demonstrates how even the most well-intentioned ideas can be twisted and used for horrific purposes – a phenomenon unique to human beings.
3. Existential Awareness
Unlike other animals, humans are acutely aware of their own mortality. This awareness, while potentially driving us to create lasting legacies, can also lead to profound psychological distress. Gregg suggests that the narwhal's inability to contemplate its own death might actually be an advantage, sparing it from the existential dread that plagues many humans.
The Evolution of Human Thinking
Gregg traces the development of human cognition through history, highlighting key milestones and their consequences:
1. From Learned Associations to Abstract Thinking
For roughly 200,000 years, humans relied primarily on learned associations – a cognitive skill shared with many other animals. This allowed our ancestors to recognize dangers and survive based on direct experiences.
However, around 43,900 years ago, evidence of a cognitive shift appeared in the form of cave paintings depicting half-human, half-animal figures. These early attempts at religious symbolism marked the beginning of our species' journey into abstract thinking and the search for meaning.
2. The Birth of Science and Philosophy
As humans developed the ability to ask "why" questions, fields like astronomy, medicine, art, and philosophy emerged. While these advancements have undoubtedly enriched human culture and knowledge, they've also introduced new problems.
Gregg introduces the concept of "dead facts" – information that has no immediate survival value but occupies space in our brains. He argues that this accumulation of potentially useless information is a uniquely human trait that can sometimes hinder rather than help us.
3. The Dark Side of Scientific Progress
The author doesn't shy away from discussing the negative consequences of human intellectual pursuits. He cites the example of 19th-century physician Samuel Morton, whose pseudo-scientific theories about skull shape and intelligence were used to justify racism and slavery. This serves as a stark reminder that our cognitive abilities can be used to rationalize and perpetuate great harm.
The Human Talent for Deception
Gregg dedicates a significant portion of the book to exploring humanity's unique capacity for lying and "bullshitting" – a trait not found in other animals.
1. Lying vs. Bullshitting
The author distinguishes between lying (intentionally deceiving someone) and bullshitting (speaking without regard for truth or accuracy). He argues that humans have not only developed a talent for both but have also come to respect and reward these behaviors in certain contexts.
2. The Evolution of Bullshitting
Gregg presents research showing that employees ranked low in honesty and humility are often perceived as more competent and "politically skilled" in the workplace. This suggests that the ability to convincingly bullshit may have become an evolutionary advantage in human societies.
The Bedbug Problem: A Case Study in Human Shortsightedness
To illustrate the limitations of human problem-solving, Gregg delves into the fascinating and troubling history of our battle against bedbugs.
1. The Resilience of Bedbugs
Gregg begins by describing the remarkable adaptations of bedbugs:
- Their ability to fit into extremely small spaces
- Their keen sense for detecting human presence
- Their capacity to learn and adapt to human behavior
- Their clever hiding strategies, including using the exoskeletons of dead bedbugs for protection
2. The DDT Disaster
In the early 20th century, bedbugs were a widespread problem in the United States. Humans decided to tackle this issue with the powerful insecticide DDT, which had been used successfully against mosquitoes during World War II.
However, this approach backfired spectacularly:
- A small number of bedbugs survived and developed immunity to DDT and many other pesticides
- The surviving bedbugs spread throughout the country, becoming even harder to eradicate
- DDT contaminated sewers, rivers, and oceans, eventually entering the human food chain
- The chemical accumulated in human tissues and was passed on to future generations
- Long-term effects of DDT exposure include increased risks of obesity and breast cancer
3. Prognostic Myopia
Gregg uses the bedbug saga to introduce the concept of "prognostic myopia" – our inability to consider the long-term consequences of our actions. This cognitive limitation, he argues, is a major threat to our survival as a species.
The Existential Threat of Human Shortsightedness
Building on the concept of prognostic myopia, Gregg explores how this uniquely human trait is endangering our very existence.
1. Environmental Destruction
The author cites numerous examples of how our failure to consider long-term consequences has led to environmental disasters:
- Continued reliance on fossil fuels
- Pollution of water sources
- Increasing carbon dioxide emissions
- Ignoring decades-old warnings about climate change
- Prioritizing short-term profits over long-term sustainability
2. Alarming Extinction Probabilities
Gregg presents some sobering statistics about the likelihood of human extinction:
- The Global Challenges Foundation estimates a 9.5% chance of human extinction within the next 100 years
- A child born today is five times more likely to die in a global extinction event than in a car crash
Despite these alarming figures, most people don't feel an immediate sense of danger. This disconnect between the severity of the threat and our perception of it is another example of how human cognition can work against our best interests.
The Paradox of Human Intelligence
Throughout the book, Gregg highlights the paradoxical nature of human intelligence. We have the cognitive ability to create comfort, happiness, and sustainable living conditions for ourselves and other species. Yet, more often than not, we use our intelligence in ways that cause harm and endanger our future.
1. The Chicken in Nova Scotia
To illustrate this point, Gregg compares the life of a chicken on his farm in Nova Scotia to the average human experience. The chicken, with its basic needs met and ample space to roam, is likely to have a more pleasure-filled day than many humans around the world.
This comparison raises important questions about the true value of human intelligence. If our cognitive abilities don't consistently lead to greater happiness or well-being, are they really as advantageous as we believe?
2. The Cycle of Progress and Regression
Gregg presents two contrasting views on humanity's ability to solve its self-created problems:
The optimistic view: Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker believes that our problems are solvable and that we have the capacity to overcome our current challenges.
The pessimistic view: Philosopher John Gray sees human history as a cycle of gains and losses, arguing that viewing our societal improvements as permanent rather than temporary is another flaw in human thinking.
The Role of Human Cognition in Animal Suffering
Gregg doesn't limit his discussion to human problems. He also explores how our unique cognitive abilities have led to increased suffering for other species.
1. Factory Farming
The author touches on the cruel practices of modern industrial agriculture, which subject billions of animals to lives of confinement and suffering. This system is a product of human ingenuity aimed at maximizing efficiency and profit, often at the expense of animal welfare.
2. Habitat Destruction
Our technological advancements and expanding populations have led to widespread habitat destruction, pushing many species to the brink of extinction. This is another example of how human intelligence, when not tempered by foresight and empathy, can have devastating consequences for the natural world.
The Potential for Change
Despite the many challenges and shortcomings of human cognition that Gregg outlines, he doesn't leave readers without hope.
1. The Next Generation's Vision
Gregg shares his daughter's dream of a world where:
- Biodiversity is restored
- Cruel farming practices are abolished
- Humans live sustainably in harmony with nature
While the author admits he's uncertain whether we can fully realize this vision, he believes it's a dream worth holding onto and working towards.
2. The Power of Awareness
By making us aware of our cognitive limitations and biases, Gregg's book serves as a first step toward addressing these issues. Understanding the potential pitfalls of human thinking can help us make more conscious decisions and consider the long-term consequences of our actions.
3. Leveraging Human Ingenuity
While human intelligence has led to many problems, it also holds the key to solving them. Our capacity for innovation, empathy, and cooperation – when properly directed – could be powerful tools for creating a more sustainable and harmonious world.
Conclusion: Rethinking Human Exceptionalism
"If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal" challenges readers to reconsider the notion of human exceptionalism. Gregg argues that while our cognitive abilities are indeed unique, they come with significant drawbacks that may ultimately threaten our survival as a species.
Key takeaways from the book include:
Human intelligence is a double-edged sword, capable of both remarkable achievements and devastating consequences.
Our ability to ask "why" questions and contemplate our own existence can lead to psychological distress not experienced by other animals.
Humans have a unique capacity for deception, including lying and "bullshitting," which we often reward in social and professional settings.
Our shortsightedness, or "prognostic myopia," poses a significant threat to our long-term survival and the well-being of other species.
Despite our cognitive abilities, humans often fail to create lives filled with more pleasure and less suffering than those of simpler animals.
Our intelligence gives us the potential to solve the problems we've created, but only if we can overcome our cognitive limitations and biases.
By presenting these ideas, Gregg invites readers to approach human intelligence with a more critical and nuanced perspective. He challenges us to use our unique cognitive abilities more responsibly, considering the long-term consequences of our actions and striving to create a world that benefits not just humans, but all living beings.
The book serves as a wake-up call, urging us to recognize the potential dangers of unchecked human cognition while also acknowledging the remarkable potential we have to change course. It's a thought-provoking exploration of what it truly means to be intelligent and successful as a species, asking us to consider whether the narwhal – free from existential dread and the burden of "why" questions – might not be better off than the troubled philosopher Nietzsche after all.
Ultimately, "If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal" leaves readers with a profound question: Can we harness the power of human cognition to create a better world for ourselves and other species, or will our unique mental abilities prove to be our undoing? The answer, Gregg suggests, lies in our ability to recognize our cognitive limitations, learn from the simplicity of other animals, and make more thoughtful, far-sighted decisions about our future on this planet.