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In this lively and illuminating discussion of his landmark research, esteemed primatologist Frans de Waal argues that human morality is not imposed from above but instead comes from within. Moral behavior does not begin and end with religion but is in fact a product of evolution.
For many years, de Waal has observed chimpanzees soothe distressed neighbors and bonobos share their food. Now he delivers fascinating fresh evidence for the seeds of ethical behavior in primate societies that further cements the case for the biological origins of human fairness. Interweaving vivid tales from the animal kingdom with thoughtful philosophical analysis, de Waal seeks a bottom-up explanation of morality that emphasizes our connection with animals. In doing so, de Waal explores for the first time the implications of his work for our understanding of modern religion. Whatever the role of religious moral imperatives, he sees it as a “Johnny-come-lately” role that emerged only as an addition to our natural instincts for cooperation and empathy.
But unlike the dogmatic neo-atheist of his book’s title, de Waal does not scorn religion per se. Instead, he draws on the long tradition of humanism exemplified by the painter Hieronymus Bosch and asks reflective readers to consider these issues from a positive perspective: What role, if any, does religion play for a well-functioning society today? And where can believers and nonbelievers alike find the inspiration to lead a good life?
Rich with cultural references and anecdotes of primate behavior, The Bonobo and the Atheist engagingly builds a unique argument grounded in evolutionary biology and moral philosophy. Ever a pioneering thinker, de Waal delivers a heartening and inclusive new perspective on human nature and our struggle to find purpose in our lives.
12 illustrations
- Sales Rank: #37387 in Books
- Published on: 2014-03-10
- Released on: 2014-03-03
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 8.30" h x .90" w x 5.60" l, 1.47 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 320 pages
Review
“A tour de force.” (Christopher Boehm - Nature)
“A writer marshaling the evidence of his life, particularly his life as a scientist, to express a passionately held belief in the possibility of a more compassionate society.” (Meehan Crist - New Republic)
“A primatologist who has spent his career studying chimpanzees and bonobos, two of humanity’s closest living relatives, Mr. de Waal draws on a lifetime of empirical research. His data provides plenty of evidence that religion is not necessary in order for animals to display something that looks strikingly like human morality.” (The Economist)
“The perpetual challenge to atheists is that moral behavior requires religion―all that prevents tsunamis of depravity is a deity or two, some nice hymns, and the threat of hellfire and damnation. De Waal shows that human morality is deeply rooted in our primate legacy, long predating the invention of that cultural gizmo called religion. This is an immensely important book by one of our most distinguished thinkers.” (Robert Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and Monkeyluv)
“Frans de Waal’s new book carries the important message that human kindness is a biological feature of our species and not something that has to be imposed on us by religious teaching.” (Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape)
About the Author
Frans de Waal has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. The author of Our Inner Ape, among many other works, he is the C. H. Candler Professor in Emory University’s Psychology Department and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Most helpful customer reviews
134 of 149 people found the following review helpful.
The bonobo, the atheist, the primatologist and the pope
By Fifth Generation Texan
Re: The bonobo, the atheist, the primatologist and the pope
I finished reading what the bonobo would say to the atheist just as the conclave of cardinals was preparing to convene in Rome to select Pope Benedict's replacement. What better time to have one of the world's wisest primate ethologists remind us of morality's "humble beginnings". Far from anti-religion, de Waal seeks to replace notions like original sin with a more scientifically justifiable "bottom up perspective" according to which "morality predates religion". Rather than "imposed from above or derived from well reasoned principles...", sensitivity to others, concern for "fairness", "love of harmony" and other "moral laws" derive from "ancient capacities" of apes with a deep history of social living. If our "incredibly superstitious species" is receptive to Christianity it is "because of our evolved grasp of the value of relationships, the benefits of cooperation, the need for trust and honesty..." Far from nihilistic, de Waal's wonderfully literate, disarmingly candid, and wonderfully entertaining romp though the animal origins of morality bears a potentially promising message. As the Australian anthropologist Les Hiatt once commented (writing about de Waal's predecessor, the evolutionary anthropologist Edward Westermarck who a century earlier, on the basis of far, far less evidence about other animals, similarly sought to trace morality's origins): "The policy of expanding amity symbolized by the dove, may be something of an evolutionary novelty; but when the hawks hover, it is comforting to remember that (amity's) roots in the human lineage run very deep". Nor is it just a matter of hoping so. As de Waal points out, there is considerable evidence that it is so. I loved this book.
67 of 76 people found the following review helpful.
An eye-opening book and a starting point for an edifying discourse between atheists and religious believers
By T. A. Smedes
A book about religion and morality from the hands of one of the foremost primatologists in the world. In this brilliant book, written in a lucid, essayistic style that is personal and even conversational, De Waal defends his thesis that morality is not an invention of religion, but that religion is a cultural scaffolding that builds upon and enhances biologically innate moral rules. Even more, De Waal acknowledges that religion is so deeply engrained in human nature that it has become one of the defining characteristics of humanity. Interestingly, De Waal's conclusions resonate deeply with the findings of the cognitive science of religion (De Waal hints to this resonance himself in the final chapter). I am curious to see where this will go in the future.
Moreover, even though De Waal explicitly admits he is an atheist himself, he argues against the militant new atheists (whose behavior he slightly controversially but with reason describes as having a religious zealousness), that religion should perhaps not be done away with before atheists are able to come up with an equally solid and generally convincing scaffolding. Not surprisingly, some of these atheists, such as Sam Harris, have already responded to De Waal's view with ridicule. Such a response is unfair and does not do justice to the fact that De Waal is trying to bring into practice what he preaches throughout the book: that cooperation and mutual support ultimately serves the future better than polarisation and detachment.
This is a highly interesting multi-layered book: it is a book about the biological and evolutionary roots of human morality; it also is a book with numerous anecdotes showing how moral behavior is already displayed by non-human primates and even other animals like elephants and dogs; and it is a philosophical meditation on what it means to be human.
De Waal is ultimately an optimist. He dismisses the idea that humans are born evil and that morality is meant to keep our evil tendencies in check. He believes that humans are social and highly empathic animals, being born to cooperate and support each other. But De Waal is also a realist in that he recognizes that such cooperation and support is extremely volatile and often very difficult to maintain.
And as a philosopher of religion and a theologian, taking science and evolutionary theory very seriously, I wholeheartedly agree with De Waal's analysis and conclusions. I believe this is a book that atheists and religious believers can and should read and discuss together in an attempt to build an edifying and mutually enriching discourse that serves a brighter future.
35 of 41 people found the following review helpful.
De Waal should stick to bonobos
By aem
I enjoy the information about bonobos, and de Waal has some interesting anecdotes. However, the main themes of the book are not related to ethology, but to atheist bashing, evolutionist berating, psychologist mocking, and the genius of Hieronymous Bosch. De Waal is opinionated and prone to overgeneralization. I hope he doesn't do science the same way he writes books.
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