Text Online
From:
Darwin, Emma
To:
Darwin, G. H.
Date:
7 March 1881
Source of text:
DAR 251: 1002
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Darwin Family Letters
No summary available.
Comments on the meaning of his definition of the term, "animal intelligence". Encloses further discussion from his forthcoming book [Earthworms].
Reports observations of worms for CD’s use.
Sends some books.
Responds to MS of Earthworms. An objective but arbitrary test of intelligence in animals is the ability to learn from experience. Earthworms fall on the border of intelligence. They could justly be called intelligent if they could learn by experience to manipulate some unknown, exotic leaf. CD should make clear that intelligence does not imply self-consciousness.
No summary available.