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Similarly, the evidence of empathy, even in basic forms, was surprising. The instances where apes seemed to comfort or console each other in distress indicated a level of emotional understanding and connection that I hadn’t fully appreciated. This challenges the long-held anthropocentric view that complex emotions like empathy are exclusive to humans.

These findings were surprising because they directly confront the traditional philosophical divide that often placed humans on a completely separate cognitive plane from other animals. While I was aware of ape intelligence and problem-solving skills, the film highlighted the social and emotional sophistication in a way that blurred the lines of what we consider “human” traits.

The evolutionary argument presented in the study guide makes these findings even more compelling. If these capacities exist in our close evolutionary relatives, it provides strong support for the idea that the foundations for these abilities are indeed rooted in our shared genetic heritage and were likely present in our common ancestors. This suggests that these cognitive building blocks are perhaps more fundamental and “innate” in primates, including humans, than a strict tabula rasa view might allow.

While the film also rightly pointed out crucial differences in areas like teaching and impulse control, the surprising similarities in fundamental cognitive and social capacities force a re-evaluation of what truly distinguishes human and nonhuman minds and offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary origins of our own intelligence.