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Originally Posted by John Murphy
Yes, but why did they not survive, if we are at the very top and all animals other animals are below us, it stands to reason what we evolved from should also have survived.
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We are not at the top of evolution. We might be the most intelligent life form on earth, but that means little. We are the most intelligent, but others are the strongest, others again are the largest, others again the fastest, others again the best organized, others again the fastest growing and most flexible, ....
Its a misconception to believe that we are the top of the evolution or something like this. We are not even the most successful species. I am pretty sure there are certain bacteria species who are more successful than we are. Also for example ants dont have to fear comparision with humans in terms of success.
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I never said anything about being the fittest, if they were close to our intelligence it should mean they too should survive. They would still be more intelligent than other species, they should be able to out wit their predators, and adapt to their enviroment.
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All that counts in evolution is being the fittest on a long term basis. (You do not only need to be specialized, you also need to be flexible when the surrounding is changing in order to survive). Intelligence as such is in this regard only of worth as far as it can secure the needed fitness. Intelligence does not have to be a guarantee for being fit per se.
But back to your point, our common ancestor with apes does not exist anymore because he evolved. In the tropic woods to the modern apes, in the prairies to the early humans which spread over the rest of the world from there. Life means always change. It would be flawed to believe that the wales that exist today would be the same as those swimming mammals of perhaps 100.000 years ago. Species evolve because also the environment changes, and what was once the fittest can be doomed after some time if it remains static.
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You seem to highly underestimate the intelligence of certain animals. Just for example elephants, if you mistreat an elephant and then leave for 10 years, he will remember you when you return and probably take revenge on you. They are very social beings and if a family member dies they can mourn very long over this loss.