I think that the idea of human cognitive superiority shows our actual lack thereof. We've barely scratched the surface of neurological and cognitive science, yet we walk around smugger than a big fish in a small pond.
To approach it differently, science fiction is one of my favorite genres because, when done well, it serves as a mirror that reflects the ills of human society. Dystopian horror is popular because we recognize our tendency toward extreme gluttony that devours everything in its path and leaves nothing but desolation in its wake.
Similarly, the alien invasion trope is also popular because we see ourselves and our ability to boorishly step foot anywhere we so desire and claim it as our own, regardless of who or what might have been there first. It says that that is but the right of the superior creature, while also pointing to our actual insecurity as to our claim to that title.
The idea of stratification of cognition between species is a very small step from applying that same reasoning WITHIN our own species. This is a tactic that had been weaponized in the past (see phrenology) and is used to this very day. In fact, it's incredibly easy to do; just refer to the person you wish to denigrate as one of those cognitively inferior animals and you're all set. Racism (fucking monkey), sexism (stupid bitch), bullying (fat pig), the poor (parasites), the rich (vultures), us-vs-them (they're nothing but snakes), etc... all use this tactic to great effect.
You know, part of me has always wished that there are indeed aliens out in the universe, ones that are vastly more advanced than we are, just to maybe knock our egos down a peg or six. But then again, why would they? We don't ponder the moral failings of ants... In fact, we usually don't bother with them at all until a nest of them springs up on our doorstep, at which point, we reach for a can of Raid.

I think that there are variations in cognition with different species. Obviously mammals had an upper hand evolution / genetically. However look at the octopus. An amazing intelligent creature.

I didn't read all of the thread, but just to add my two cents, it seems to me that life has feelings to the degree that it has conscious. No animal I've ever seen wants to die and they all try and avoid it. Humans have always seemed to neglect this because we are in the habit of eating other animals. I'll be glad when we can replicate the flesh of animals by cloning so we don't have to kill them.

I've always found it silly that we humans often forget that we are animals. And apparently, we taste like pork.

I truly believe, if animals could articulate their suffering that 90% of the world would go vegan overnight.

I remember reading about a captive gorilla in a science facility.

It was taught to use basic sign language with its hands. One day a member of staff who was used to being with the gorilla chatted with it through the fence of the enclosure.

The gorilla, on the other side of the wire fence, using its hands said: "Help! Out!".

Then there's grieving elephants who visit the remains of their dead. They stroke the bones of their deceased relatives with their trunks.

I can't allow myself to think about it too much. In context, their suffering is no different to ours.

Yes, I think anthropomorphism and making "man the measure of all things" is the greatest impediment to understanding animal intelligence. I never cease to be amazed, for example, how smart crows and ravens are in spite of their tiny birdbrains. They actually fashion and use tools to figure out fairly complicated food puzzles. This is not even to mention animals like whales who appear to be extremely intelligent. They communicate through complex call patterns over thousands of miles. It has even been speculated that there may be a type of global "whale internet" that is occurring in the oceans. I think it will be a long time before we really have a handle on animal intelligence because we simply don't really know what to make of them outside of comparing them to ourselves. First, we would have to become smart enough to figure out their languages, which we are not yet very good at.

I truly hope that Animal's cognitive ability to reason and feel deep sensitivity is limited, but deep down my gut tells me that at least the higher vertebrates and sea mammals feel many of the feelings Humans feel like joy happiness sadness fear anxiety caution love and bonding for their young and their siblings..curiosity some ability to reason. It worries me how we treat our wildlife especially when it comes to trying to explain any of these issues to children without blushing.

I love listening to crow convos...I just saw a Nova special on how other mammals communicate..chimps use non verbal hand & body gestures..it's rather complicated..but yes other animals have higher cognitive power than we knew..or arrogantly assumed.

Deep and amazing.

Animals are smart - some build homes, they take care of their young...you must have some smarts to pass on your genes on for millions of years.