the problem is, we anthropomorphize -reg's favorite word- other creatures. it begs the question -the concept of evolution which is an all too human conception- if it is possible to consider that a human concept is applicable to other minds...
granting that an octopus can evolve to such complexity, language-sytem and all, would it possess an identical "system of 'cognition'" with that of human cognition ? its as if saying that if evolution is true, then t there is a single general direction to the configuration of cognition, that is, the configuration that human beings, at least now, possess.