The Problem of Morality

Moral expectations are related to perceived intelligence.

We don't hold dogs to as many 'moral' standards as we do humans, as we believe them to be largely incapable of controlling impulses which we think that we, as humans, can. Those with significant understanding of dog psychology also think that choices the dog believes itself to be freely making were actually NOT made by the dog. That many dog behaviours are more obviously predictable to us, and less "chosen" by the dog eg willful disobedience. That kind of vocabulary, to describe animal behaviour (which places emphasis on choice rather than training and feedback), is less appealing to specialists. And with good reason.

It seems to me that smarter creatures probably would think humans incapable of freely choosing choices which we believe that WE freely chose. They'd know more about our limitations in controlling our thoughts AND our emotions, and see more of our habits, genes and environment being responsible for our 'choices' than we realise. Probably, they wouldn't hold us to as many moral standards as we do ourselves. We could be in cages, being observed, socialised, just as other animals are by humans. But not judged.