The author refers to a hungry lizard

The author refers to a hungry lizard (line 31) primarily in order to The evolution of intelligence among early large mammals of the grasslands was due in great measure to the interaction between two ecologically synchronized groups of these animals, the hunting carnivores and the herbivores that they hunted. The interaction line resulting from the differences between predator and prey led to a general 5 improvement in brain functions; however, certain components of intelligence were improved far more than others. The kind of intelligence favored by the interplay of increasingly smarter catchers and increasingly keener escapers is defined by attention—that aspect of mind carrying consciousness forward from one moment to the next. It ranges from a passive, free-floating 10 awareness to a highly focused, active fixation. The range through these states is mediated by the arousal system, a network of tracts converging from sensory systems to integrating centers in the brain stem. From the more relaxed to the more vigorous levels, sensitivity to novelty is increased. The organism is more awake, more vigilant; this increased vigilance results in the apprehension of ever more subtle signals as the 15 organism becomes more sensitive to its surroundings. The processes of arousal and concentration give attention its direction. Arousal is at first general, with a flooding of impulses in the brain stem; then gradually the activation is channeled. Thus begins concentration, the holding of consistent images. One meaning of intelligence is the way in which these images and other alertly searched information are used in the context of 20 previous experience. Consciousness links past attention to the present and permits the integration of details with perceived ends and purposes. The elements of intelligence and consciousness come together marvelously to produce different styles in predator and prey. Herbivores and carnivores develop different kinds of attention related to escaping or chasing. Although in both kinds of animal, 25 arousal stimulates the production of adrenaline and norepinephrine by the adrenal glands, the effect in herbivores is primarily fear, whereas in carnivores the effect is primarily aggression. For both, arousal attunes the animal to what is ahead. Perhaps it does not experience forethought as we know it, but the animal does experience something like it. The predator is searchingly aggressive, inner-directed, tuned by the 30 nervous system and the adrenal hormones, but aware in a sense closer to human consciousness than, say, a hungry lizard’s instinctive snap at a passing beetle. Using past events as a framework, the large mammal predator is working out a relationship between movement and food, sensitive to possibilities in cold trails and distant sounds —and yesterday’s unforgotten lessons. The herbivore prey is of a different mind. Its 35 mood of wariness rather than searching and its attitude of general expectancy instead of anticipating are silk-thin veils of tranquillity over an explosive endocrine system demonstrate the similarity between the hunting methods of mammals and those of nonmammals, broaden the application of the argument by including an insectivore as an example, make a distinction between higher and lower levels of consciousness, provide an additional illustration of the brutality characteristic of predators, offer an objection to suggestions that all animals lack consciousness

2 Explanations

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tapas gupta

The said sentence says that the predator is aggressive and attuned for its prey and also aware closer to human consciousness than lizard's snap. How then lizard's snap is considered as low consciousness?

Jan 20, 2021 • Comment

Adam

Hi Tapas,
So "aware in a sense closer to human consciousness than, say, a hungry lizard’s instinctive snap at a passing beetle" means that the predator is closer to human consciousness than a lizard. Human consciousness is very high consciousness, higher than both the lizard or the predator. Hence, the lizards snap is comparatively low conscious, and more instinctive. Instinctive is the opposite of conscious.
Hope that helps!

Jan 23, 2021 • Reply

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Chris Lele

Oct 5, 2012 • Comment

Udayan Ghosh

it is very easy to think that the terms higher and lower level of consciousness are actually not discussed in the passage..some may think it is a scientific term that is not mentioned in the passage..so it cannot be the answer..at least that is how I got it wrong...

Jun 23, 2016 • Reply

Adam

Hi Udayan!

First, note that the term "consciousness" is used in the passage:

1. "The kind of intelligence favored by the interplay of increasingly smarter catchers and increasingly keener escapers is defined by attention—that aspect of mind carrying consciousness forward from one moment to the next."
2. Consciousness links past attention to the present and permits the integration of details with perceived ends and purposes. The elements of intelligence and consciousness come together marvelously to produce different styles in predator and prey.
3. The predator is searchingly aggressive, inner-directed, tuned by the 30 nervous system and the adrenal hormones, but aware in a sense closer to human consciousness than, say, a hungry lizard’s instinctive snap at a passing beetle.

So this term is used several times in the text. It's not an arcane scientific term.

Second, when trying to understand the answer to an OG question, you should always try to mold your own thinking to the way the question works, rather than looking for ways to argue that the question is incorrect or somehow unfair. This question was written by the people that write the GRE, so you need to adapt your own thinking to match theirs in order to do well on the test :)

Jun 23, 2016 • Reply

Udayan Ghosh

thanks for the long reply :)

Jun 29, 2016 • Reply

Adam

You're welcome, Udayan!

Jun 30, 2016 • Reply