I had learned that a dexterous, opposable thumb stood among the hallmarks of human success. We had maintained, even exaggerated, this important flexibility of our primate forebears, while most mammals had sacrificed it in specializing their digits. Carnivores run, stab, and scratch. My cat may manipulate me psychologically, but he'll never type or play the piano. Stephen Jay Gould
About This Quote

People who have opposable thumbs tend to be more intelligent and creative than those who do not. Humans have developed the opposable thumb as a tool for manipulating objects and performing tasks that require fine motor skills. The opposable thumb also enables humans to perform tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to do without the use of their hands. For example, the opposable thumb enables humans to make tools for hunting or gathering food by turning rocks into knives or spears. In other words, the human ability to flex the thumb is a key part of our evolution as a species.

Source: The Pandas Thumb: More Reflections In Natural History

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