If one compares the encephalization quotient of various animals, the resultant curve plotted against time is non-linear, which also supports the hypothesis that intelligence in general has increased non-linearly. An attempt to assess the relative intelligence of various vertebrate species has been made by H.J. Jerison. He first determined the relation of brain weight relative to body weight and arrived at an expression that he called the "encephalization quotient," or EQ, which is defined as 0.12 times the ratio of brain weight over body weight to the two-thirds power. The factor 0.12 was chosen arbitrarily so that an "average" mammal would have an EQ of one. Thus, lower vertebrates have an EQ less than one, and higher vertebrates above the average have an EQ greater than one. The two-thirds power was introduced into the equation because it was determined experimentally that brain weight is proportional to the two-thirds power of body weight.

EQ therefore adjusts for body weight, giving a better index of relative intelligence than one based simply on sheer brain size. Jerison then plotted on semi-log graph paper the EQs of various vertebrates against time measured in millions of years. This gave him the various rates of evolution of brain size for several animal groups, including man. Although the curve is not considered to be smooth, it is definitely non-linear. It also indicates that at least some animals other than man are becoming more intelligent through evolution.³³

It would appear probable that an increasing number of people are experiencing higher altered states of consciousness. One-third or more of all individuals queried have reported having had a "peak experience.".³⁴...Increased intelligence allows for an increase in the experiencing of higher levels of consciousness. The greater the information stored in the brain, mind and body, the higher the level of consciousness that potentially can be experienced. During peak experience, the amount of information (stored memories in the conscious and unconscious) that is accessible to an individual for processing and integration will ultimately influence the extent of the P.E. Evidence is accumulating that the experienced perception of increased understanding and enlightenment during P.E. is valid and not hallucination. The higher degree of social concern and social consciousness that is presently being witnessed with increasing frequency is a reflection of the upward evolution of intelligence. Our ability to integrate new and greater amounts of information is also a reflection of increasing intelligence.

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