Good Natured : The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals

To observe a dog's guilty look. to witness a gorilla's self-sacrifice for a wounded mate, to watch an elephant herd's communal effort on behalf of a stranded calf--to catch animals in certain acts is to wonder what moves them. Might there he a code of ethics in the animal kingdom? Must an animal be human to he humane? In this provocative book, a renowned scientist takes on those who have declared ethics uniquely human Making a compelling case for a morality grounded in biology, he shows how ethical behavior is as much a matter of evolution as any other trait, in humans and animals alike. World famous for his brilliant descriptions of Machiavellian power plays among chimpanzees-the nastier side of animal life--Frans de Waal here contends that animals have a nice side as well. Making his case through vivid anecdotes drawn from his work with apes and monkeys and holstered by the intriguing, voluminous data from his and others' ongoing research, de Waal shows us that many of the building blocks of morality are natural: they can he observed in other animals. Through his eyes, we see how not just primates but all kinds of animals, from marine mammals to dogs, respond to social rules, help each other, share food, resolve conflict to mutual satisfaction, even develop a crude sense of justice and fairness. Natural selection may be harsh, but it has produced highly successful species that survive through cooperation and mutual assistance. De Waal identifies this paradox as the key to an evolutionary account of morality, and demonstrates that human morality could never have developed without the foundation of fellow feeling our species shares with other animals. As his work makes clear, a morality grounded in biology leads to an entirely different conception of what it means to he human--and humane.

to Observe A Dog's Guilty Look.

to Witness A Gorilla's Self-sacrifice For A Wounded Mate, To Watch An Elephant Herd's Communal Effort On Behalf Of A Stranded Calf—to Catch Animals In Certain Acts Is To Wonder What Moves Them. Might There He A Code Of Ethics In The Animal Kingdom? Must An Animal Be Human To He Humane? In This Provocative Book, A Renowned Scientist Takes On Those Who Have Declared Ethics Uniquely Human Making A Compelling Case For A Morality Grounded In Biology, He Shows How Ethical Behavior Is As Much A Matter Of Evolution As Any Other Trait, In Humans And Animals Alike.

world Famous For His Brilliant Descriptions Of Machiavellian Power Plays Among Chimpanzees-the Nastier Side Of Animal Life—frans De Waal Here Contends That Animals Have A Nice Side As Well. Making His Case Through Vivid Anecdotes Drawn From His Work With Apes And Monkeys And Holstered By The Intriguing, Voluminous Data From His And Others' Ongoing Research, De Waal Shows Us That Many Of The Building Blocks Of Morality Are Natural: They Can He Observed In Other Animals. Through His Eyes, We See How Not Just Primates But All Kinds Of Animals, From Marine Mammals To Dogs, Respond To Social Rules, Help Each Other, Share Food, Resolve Conflict To Mutual Satisfaction, Even Develop A Crude Sense Of Justice And Fairness.

natural Selection May Be Harsh, But It Has Produced Highly Successful Species That Survive Through Cooperation And Mutual Assistance. De Waal Identifies This Paradox As The Key To An Evolutionary Account Of Morality, And Demonstrates That Human Morality Could Never Have Developed Without The Foundation Of Fellow Feeling Our Species Shares With Other Animals. As His Work Makes Clear, A Morality Grounded In Biology Leads To An Entirely Different Conception Of What It Means To He Human—and Humane.

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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. (mar.)

Prologue Chapter 1: Darwinian dilemmas Survival of the unfittest Biologicizing morality Calvinist sociobiology A broader view The invisible grasping organ Ethology and ethics Photo essay: closeness Chapter 2: Sympathy Warm blood in cold waters Special treatment of the handicapped Responses to injury and death Having broad nails The social mirror Lying and aping apes Simian sympathy A world without compassion Photo essay: cognition and empathy Chapter 3: Rank and order A sense of social regularity The monkey's behind Guilt and shame Unruly youngsters The blushing primate Two genders, two moralities? Umbilical versus confrontational bonds Primus intter Pares Chapter 4: Quid pro quo The less-than-golden rule Mobile meals At the circle's center A concept of giving Testing for reciprocity From revenge to justice Photo essay: Help from a friend Chapter 5: Getting alone The social cage The relational model Peacemaking Rope walking Baboon testimony Draining the behavioral sink Community concern Photo essay: War and peace Chapter 6: Conclusions What does it take to be moral? Floating pyramids A hole in the head Notes. I found the book to be highly readable and subject matter to be fascinating. This subject is no where near my field (which is history) but found that De Waal presents the material in way that is very accessible to anyone. De Waal has an entertaining writing style that keeps you absorbed in the reading without the effort I have found in other books on the subject. It's very important for us to really look at where we come from and why we are what we are, and taking a look at our closest relatives is a good window into our minds. I found the analysis and the conclusions to be well formed and fairly presented. The evidence he gives for his conclusions is well documented and explained. While I did have a few problems here and there, these did not detract from the overall readability and the pure enjoyment of the book. This was just a very enjoyable book that I would recommend to anyone, whether you have a deep interest in the topic or you're just looking for an interesting book to use up a few hours in the day. Contents ......Page 7 Prologue ......Page 9 1. Darwinian Dilemmas ......Page 14 Photo Essay: Closeness ......Page 35 2. Sympathy ......Page 64 Photo Essay: Cognition and Empathy ......Page 113 3. Rank and Order ......Page 129 4. Quid Pro Quo ......Page 173 Photo Essay: Help From A Friend ......Page 177 5. Getting Along ......Page 219 Photo Essay: War and Peace ......Page 257 6. Conclusion ......Page 281 Notes ......Page 291