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Primates and Philosophers

How Morality Evolved

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Primates and Philosophers

By: Frans de Waal
Narrated by: Alan Sklar
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About this listen

"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 view of the natural world, emphasizing our "selfish" genes. Science has thus exacerbated our reciprocal habits of blaming nature when we act badly and labeling the good things we do as "humane". Seeking the origin of human morality not in evolution but in human culture, science insists that we are moral by choice, not by nature.

Citing remarkable evidence based on his extensive research of primate behavior, de Waal attacks "Veneer Theory", which posits morality as a thin overlay on an otherwise nasty nature. He explains how we evolved from a long line of animals that care for the weak and build cooperation with reciprocal transactions.

Drawing on both Darwin and recent scientific advances, de Waal demonstrates a strong continuity between human and animal behavior. In the process, he also probes issues such as anthropomorphism and human responsibilities toward animals.

Based on the Tanner Lectures de Waal delivered at Princeton University's Center for Human Values in 2004, Primates and Philosophers includes responses by the philosophers Peter Singer, Christine M. Korsgaard, and Phillip Kitcher, and the science writer Robert Wright. They press de Waal to clarify the differences between humans and other animals, yielding a lively debate that will fascinate all those who wonder about the origins and reach of human goodness. The book is published by Princeton University Press.

©2006 Princeton University Press (P)2010 Redwood Audiobooks
Biology Ethics & Morality Evolution History Social Psychology & Interactions Genetics
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Critic reviews

"De Waal is one of the world's foremost authorities on nonhuman primates, and his thoughtful contribution to Primates and Philosophers is enriched by decades of close observation of their behavior.... He argues that humans are like their closest evolutionary kin in being moral by nature." ( New York Review of Books)
"Exceptionally rich but always lucid... Intellectual soul food for biology-minded ethicists." ( Booklist)

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Informative, but often dry

I found the first part, Frans de Waal's observations of animal behaviour and his thoughts, very interesting and engaging. This is followed by commentary from a number of different experts which I am finding to be extremely dry at times, struggling to focus, especially as some of the arguments presented by them seem to misinterpret or completely ignore parts of de Waal's writing. It's not a light listen. I am currently stuck with about 1 hour left. Narrator's performance is fine, perhaps a little monotonous at times.

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