About this title: 'It's the animal in us', we often hear when we've been bad. But why not when we're good? "Primates and Philosophers" tackles this question by exploring the biological foundations of one of humanity's most valued traits: morality. In this provocative book, primatologist Frans de Waal argues that modern-day evolutionary biology takes far too dim a ...
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Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780691141299ISBN:0691141290
Description: Very Good. 8vo-over 7-9 Tall 0691141290 Clean, tight and bright. No tears. Square and strong. A name in marker on lower text block. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: University Presses of California, Columbia and Pri
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780691141299ISBN:0691141290
Description: New. 'It's the animal in us', we often hear when we've been bad. But why not when we're good? This book tackles this question by exploring the biological foundations of one of humanity's most valued traits: morality. It argues that modern-day evolutionary... read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr
Date Published: 2009-02-01
ISBN-13:9780691141299ISBN:0691141290
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780691141299. read more
"Frans de Waal is a primatologist who takes on the argument about evolution and morality. Although it is apparent that our species is unique in it's capacity for concious consideration of moral actions, de Waal argues that the foundation of these moral ideas can be found in great apes, that morality is not entirely constructed by societal necessity. The book isn't too jargony, and a quick read. It's a little on the intense side, but what can I say? I love this stuff!"
"Richard Dawkins and others have fallen into the trap that somehow Biological Evolution leads to Social Darwinism. In the same vein, these biologists claim that morality is a construct unique to humans and we use it to counter our selfish animal tendencies. Animals less sophisticated than humans allegedly allow natural selection to take out the weak. Not only is the quote "Survival of the Fittest" mis-attributed to Darwin, but so is the concept of such brutal views of natural selection.
De Waal is one of the most respected primatologists second to only Jane Goodall. In Primates and Philosophers, De Waal uses several accounts of primate behavior to show that morality is as continuous with other Great Apes, Chimpanzees and Bonobos in particular, as is our genome.
It turns out these primates most close to us genetically, show a myriad of the building blocks for morality. They are capable of empathy, sympathy, reciprocity, peacemaking and retaliation. Quick to answer charges of anthropomorphism, De Waal convincingly argues that any other answers for these behaviors would be more cognitively complicated and therefore less plausible.
Unique to humans however are two qualities. The impartial spectator that Adam Smith describes, and the ability to reason and judge between two conflicting moral decisions. While significant, it hardly amounts to the gaping hole between our social behavior and that of wild animals that others have suggested.
An excellent read for anyone pondering the origins of morality or the true implications of Darwinism on a social species."
"This is an amazing book that studies our closest genetic relatives!! We have so much to learn about ourselves from the chimpanzees and bonobos. I whole heartedly recommend this book to everyone. I traded it away on a road trip and I hope it is still traveling and being enjoyed."
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