Instinct, sentience, and intellect

If we accept evolution, then we have no choice but to accept that we are animals, and as such if we have intellect then so do animals.  It is part of our evolution.  We may have specialized in intellect where other animals specialize in other things, but they all "think" in some way or another.

It starts off the way we program computers:  If such and such happens then do so and so."  In nature we call that reflex.  If a bright light hits the eye, shrink the pupil.  These are almost entirely outside our conscious control, but not always -- while usually we breathe without thinking about it, we are able, for at least awhile, to override the body and hold our breath -- but sooner or later in this case our will is overridden by our instinct.

Somewhere in evolution the phenomenon known as "sentience" began to appear.  Animals began to experience existence and thereby modify reactions rather than just carry out programmed reflexes.  This is a mystery -- how we perceive rather than just sense; how we experience rather than just exist.  We can see from studies of brain structures and chemicals that most mammals and birds are sentient this way.  They perceive things and thereby can have more subtle instincts and even develop will and intellect.

Of course it may be that it requires language (not just symbolic communication but real language) to think philosophy, so it may be that only humans truly have intellect -- but the precursors are found in many other animals.  I watch my cats and I can see will and thought and differences in intelligence, as well, of course, as general cattiness.