I use the video game analogy for this. animals may be 8 bits, we're 32 bits. Still whatever bits games are running on, they use the same basic formulas (in the metaphor, these are our senses, emotions and abstractions). It's indeed evident that we share a lot with animals. Even if they may not think as much, and can't communicate like us. I also believe that most important times in our human lives, are quite animal... holding a baby, holding your SO hand, eating, pissing, sleeping well. Doesn't need to know about curved topologies.. and I'm sure most of us would be content with the list I just wrote. And to go back to the analogy, we spend time thinking about problems and whatever, but going back to 8 bits often leads to interesting use of our existences. Like helping someone simply can brighten your life much more than financial success.