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In Good Natured Frans de Waal, ethologist and primatologist, asks us to reconsider human morality in light of moral aspects that can be identified in animals. Within the complex negotiations of human society, a moral action may involve thoughts and feelings of guilt, reciprocity, obligation, expectations, rules, or community concern. De Waal finds these aspects of morality prevalent in other animal societies, mostly primate, and suggests that the two philosophical camps supporting nature and nurture may have to be disbanded in order to adequately understand human morality. A theoretician, de Waal is meticulous in his research, cautious not to extrapolate too much from his findings, and logically sound in his arguments. He also writes with precision and a flair for the dramatic, carrying readers along with graceful ease and vivid examples.
From Publishers Weekly
Is morality a biological or cultural phenomenon? Can nonhuman animals be humane? Primatologist de Waal (Chimpanzee Politics) explores these questions in a provocative book and makes a strong case for biology. He is convinced that social tendencies come into existence via a genetic calculus rather than rational choice. He defends anthropomorphism, noting that it serves the same exploratory function as intuition in the sciences. He discusses aggression and altruism and offers abundant anecdotal evidence of moral behavior among primates and other animals?food sharing, protection, sympathy, guilt. De Waal argues that the remarkable trainability among certain species, e.g., sheepdogs and elephants, hints at a rule-based order among them. He takes issue with the animal rights movement; rights, he says, are normally accompanied by responsibilities, which cannot possibly apply to apes and other animals. Readers who enjoyed Why Elephants Weep (Jeffrey Masson and Susan McCarthy) will welcome this volume. Illustrations.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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First Sentence
In addition to being human, we pride ourselves on being humane. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
In addition to being human, we pride ourselves on being humane. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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3.0 out of 5 stars
A monkey among the scholars,
By
This review is from: Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals (Paperback)
It is said that chimpanzees use tools. That seems implausible, yet scholars love the idea. De Waal says chimpanzees understand gratitude, obligation, retribution, indignation, and sympathy. That sounds plausible, though scholars hotly disagree, and reprimand this "anthropomorphism." As if they had an alternative. De Waal bids adieu to the egregious simplicities of "classical sociobiology." He does not pretend to show that this or that aspect of vaunted morals is "really nothing but" our selfish genes. Nevertheless, many building blocks of morality--the sentiments and cognitions underlying it--were in place before sapiens arose. Morals are not uniquely human because the predicaments they address belong to the social life of primates.This review originally appeared in Common Knowledge, vol. 7 (3) (1998).
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling, thought-provoking study of primate behavior,
By
This review is from: Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals (Paperback)
Frans de Waal is one of the best known primatologists in the United States, and GOOD NATURED shows why. This careful study of primate behavior, both non-human and human, explores the issue of morality and the complex emotions that give rise to it. De Waal's topics range from empathy to social rules to diplomacy as he describes specific examples across primate species.The black and white pictures illustrate his points, but they are by no means the highlight of this book. De Waal's insights, which never read too much into specific behaviors, walk the fine line between objective scientific reporting and an acknowledgment of the kinship between all primates. Seeing primates through his expert eyes is an enlightening experience. This is truly an extraordinary book. I recommend it to readers who have a keen interest in primatology, sociology, and/or the kinship between humans and other species.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating topic, but poorly written,
By Dr. Tom G (Jerusalem Israel) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals (Paperback)
I teach graduate level courses on violence and was hoping that this book would give me some much-need background on roots of altruism and violence among primates. I must say that I am used to reading Richard Dawkins and Steven Jay Gould.Despite the fact that the topic is fascinating, I find that De Waal is generally a poor writer. The message is lost on run-on sentences and chapters that seem to go on for ever. I liked the pictures, though.
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