Discussion Class Four: Magical Creatures, Intelligent?

Welcome to the fourth CoMC discussion class: are magical creatures intelligent or not? Can they understand humans and each other?

N.B.: This discussion does not apply to sentient creatures such as Centaurs.

Discuss this fully, remembering to develop your ideas and arguments.

The total points available is 80, as well as 10 points for SPAG/QWC.

Have fun!

Like Stephy, I'm going to have to agree with her statement that it depends on the creature in which you're speaking of. At Gringotts, you will find goblins that run the largest and safest Wizarding bank. If these creatures did not have the intelligence to do what they do, and as well as they do, then they wouldn't be allowed to run that establishment.

Magical creatures do have a brain, of course the size does vary per creature, but there is still a brain nonetheless. How that creatures uses his or her brain is up to that creature, but there is still one that can be used in any given situation.

I agree with the people above. I do think that it depends on the creature with some being more intelligent than others, but in all, I do think that they are intelligent. I beleive that all creatures (magical and muggle included) have there own ways to communicate and survive. As for understanding humans, I am doubtful that they can. My main reason for the doubt is that, we can't understand them, so how could they understand us. By understand I mean communicate with. We can understant emotions and such because all creatures have those but I mean carrying on a conversation.

I feel that intelligence magical creatures are all intelligent but on different scales. Intelligence can't just be measured by emotions and communication. Even if we can't understand them we can't forget that other creatures might after all they manage to survive in the wild.

I think it actually depends on the situation. For example, an animal will know the quickest and smartest way to escape danger if they are in their enviroment. Humans will not know the same thing. True that creatures like trolls are not smart, but that's in the human society. They are probably smart and better adapted if in their habitat.

Also humans should not judge the creature since we do not understand them. Maybe there is a reason they are angry and we just think them as dumb and violent. So overall, I think all creatures are intelligent, just to a certain degree and different places.

I think they are smart.....depending on the speices of creature of course but all have to be treated with some type of respect. Goblins, House Elves even, dragons, Hippogriffs and others they all have feelings in thier own ways. As for trolls, they are the dumbest things alive no matter what people say but they are usefull boggarts.

Magical Creatures are intelligent in their own way. Look at Buckbeak, he saved Harry and Herminone in the thrid book because Lupin was going to attack them, when Lupin was in his warewolf form. And what about Fawkes, he saved Harry in the second book. Fawkes healed Harry, so Harry wouldn't die. So, I think that all magical creatures are intelligent in their own little way. Some might not be as intelligent as others but their still intelligent.

I feel that magical creatures ARE intelligent. I mean, magic equals power, and power means intellgence. Okay, so they may not be able to talk to us humans (with the exception of Thestrals, goblins, and House elves.) but they are aware of their sorundings, and are able to help those who know of their power. To be able to detect witches and wizards from everyday people is extroridnary. So is the way they are able to help those who have been kind to them.
Even Trolls have some intelligence. They recognize who their "master" is, whether it is human or not. So do Giants, and other such creatures. You see how they were listening and controlled by Voldemort in the Final Battle? Well, I would define that as intelligence.

I agree with Polly and Stephy and the others.

Magical Creatures can be intelligent but it depends on which ones. Some, like trolls, have almost no intelligence at all, but others such as hippogriffs, thestrals, goblins, and houselves are perfectly capable of responding to humans while trolls cannot understand humans in any way. Trolls are mostly used to protect something because I would think it was easier to bribe them to get them on your side, but as for the intelligent creatures mentioned above, I don't think the would be as easily bribed. Espicially not goblins who are known for secrecy and allegiance to their kind. So, like everyone said above, it would depend on the type of Magical Creature.

This class is now closed, well done to all participants. Your points are below.

Gryffindor
KatieBellaTrix: 40
Kris: 25
ginnyunited: 40

Hufflepuff
dragonweaver: 40
Just_Ginny: 60

Ravenclaw
stephy: 40
Samuel Craft: 40
Constica18: 25
polly: 60

Slytherin
Bella: 25
kathrineee_anne: 40