CTRL C from another comment of mine.
We are not the ultimate form of life. That sense of superiority is an egocentric notion instilled by religion and similar indoctrination. In fact, evolution does not qualify us as better than any other life. Other forms of life are perfectly adapted to their environment just as you are to yours.
Evolution works by natural selection. If the environment changed so that only leaves are available for food and the environment is irreparably damaged by extreme cold, for example, in a catastrophic global event, natural selection would do away with the human species and apes and other wild animals resistant to cold and would eat rough foliage would suffice. human intelligence isnt by any rule the ultimate adaptation.
Another scenario: Say a virus attacks mammals, kills in hours, is airborne, and has spread world wide. Everybody has a chance of contracting infection. Some form of apes are resistant to it just as they are resistant to some viruses that kill humans. Apes are naturally selected as the better species and humans are eliminated.
Another scenario: A cosmic event is causing severe irradiation to earth. No animal under 200kg has a chance of survival. Some animals above 200kg, and of a certain age, say 100 years and above, have a chance of survival. Old giant tortoises are selected as the better adapted species and almost every other species are eliminated.
Its a matter of consequence and it is not driven in any predictable direction.
Our scenario: Food is scarce and most large animals rely on eating large quantities of low energy food. Some others such as primates, rodents, birds etc, rely on high energy food such as fruits cereals meat insects etc. Deadly bacteria are attacking everyone in their own quest for survival. Disease is everywhere. Everyone is struggling. One type of primate, man, has a large complex brain capable of INQUIRY. This animal, through inquiry learns how to make certain food providing plants grow and learns how to counter deadly microorganisms. Intelligence of a certain level, eg, that of man, emerges as the best suited adaptation for survival. Out rhinoceros, out elephant, IN man. For now, the environment is gradually selecting man as the best adapted species. FOR NOW.
For example, giant skeletons that people dig out today belong to animals whose demands on the environment couldn’t be fulfilled, Maybe due to a gradual climatic change or a catastrophic event. Their strength couldn’t suffice. Ancestors of smaller mammals, the elephant being the biggest, were automatically selected as the best adapted species.
Since in every species there is variation in every generation and occasional random gene mutation, and the fact that the environment keeps changing, nature keeps selecting from the result. Each time with a different selection.
HAVE I SETTLED THIS SHIT?
Do your research properly and you will know why even some textbooks make the mistake of considering humans the best species. Some early notable scientists couldn’t get it either because of cultural bias or religious pressure. Jean Lamarck is one.