Going back to pete's post, i'd like to share an observation... Bacteria just reproduce, Dogs can't understand that 'that thing in the mirror' is them, but they certainly show some signs of intelligence and basic reasoning, i.e. opening a door granting them access to a new area. Monkeys are almost certianly intelligent, they realise that it is their reflection in the mirror, and the only thing that they lack is opposable thumbs'. And then theres us, the top of the tree, the kings of the hill. But are we, thats my point, the scale must surely continue, and we as humans wouldnt be able to grasp the concept of how it continued by default, otherwise we wouldnt be in that place on the scale. My point is if dogs knew what they were lacking to go up on the scale, they would be able to do it, so our predeccessor (sp?) could be right in front of us but our ignorance (no offence, its the right term) forbids us to see it. Whew im confused lol...