On Tue, 10 Dec 1996, Phil Veldhuis wrote:
 
> According to a strong philosophical tradition, only genuinely
> linguistic communication is intelligent...
 
FWIW, I too have strong reservationas about that.
 
I've seen horses tamed by little more than body language --
the trainer behaving like the dominant mare in a herd.
 
I watch veterinarians and dog trainers using body language to
get dogs to do what they want and behave as they want. In some
cases with dogs that have never really been controlled before.
 
I watch falconers developing a relationship with their very
wild charges.
 
IMHO, communication is not only linguistic!
 
To me, the question is how far down the scale we can reasonably
consider these non-linguistic languages to be valid. I personally
think that any communication greater than simply reflexive
shows intelligence. Others may well be more circumspect.
 
Regards,
--
Gordon Scott   [log in to unmask]      [log in to unmask] (work)
The Basingstoke Beekeeper (newsletter)      [log in to unmask]
<A HREF="http://www.apis.demon.co.uk">Gordon's Apis Home Page</A>
Beekeeper; Kendo 3rd Dan; Sometime sailor.  Hampshire, England.