The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

by Frans de Waal (Author)

197 customer reviews

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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.

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Product details

File Size: 11454 KB
Print Length: 313 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (March 25, 2013)
Publication Date: March 18, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B007Q6XKEY
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Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,926 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #10 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Primatology
- #42 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Primatology
- #238 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Science > Evolution

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Joep Cuijpers

what the bonobo tells us

August 15, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

What do a Jeroen Bosch, Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans de Waal have in common? They don't look up but, look around and appreciator what they see and use it as their source of inspiration. During times when painters of other countries were painting kings queens and holy saints, in the low lands they were painting normal people. In times when many still believe that god has created their religion or is on the side of their great country and makes them think they are superior, de Waal looks around and appreciates the creatures with whom people share 98% of the genes and shows they too have empathy, make plans and plans and are political. Yes, it is a good book to read. Only the "empathy, religion, believe, non believe and atheist" part in which he becomes a early Sunday morning preacher-man makes it loose one star..

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Ann

Fascinating

May 9, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I found this book to be well researched, well argued and well written. De Waal brings together biology, philosophy and religion to back up his thesis that evolution has lead to the development of religions. He uses his years of research as a primatologist to give examples of the kind of animal compassion and empathy that has lead (in his view) to the development of religions all over the earth. He doesn't debunk religion but discusses how important religion is or isn't in every day life and whether one must be religious to be moral. A thought provoking, enjoyable read.

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Doug

A+

December 7, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Very nicw

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V. Alvord

This book will make you think!

February 21, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Eye-opening and mind-opening. I'm one of the "neo-atheist" he points a finger at and I took his point. There is much much much more to life than "my opinion" vs "their opinion." This is a book that is worth reading. It WILL make you think regardless of your point of view.

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Amazon Customer

Five Stars

April 18, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

wonderful premise.

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john rodger

Made enormous sense to me

May 2, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have read a lot of the current atheist literature and found much of it stimulating and convincing. However De Waal takes a very different approach. While sharing many of the views of Dawkins, Grayling. Hitchens et al. his ideas are grounded in biology and sees our higher values and behaviours as not an aberration in evolution but a shared heritage with mammals and our close primate kin especially. We don't need external 'gods' to make us do good.

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bob j

Five Stars

October 18, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Love this book.

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Colm O'Murchu

Very interesting read

January 8, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Very good book. Full of insightful anecdotes of primate behaviour and very useful in shedding some light on evidence of moral behaviour in animals. It feels as though the book ends quite abruptly. Overall I would thoroughly recommend this for anyone interested in a different perspective on atheism and anti-religious arguments as the book hints at religion's usefulness in our own primate society.

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Most recent customer reviews

Four Stars

excellent book

Published 1 month ago by Robert Schoen

I enjoy the measured tone and the explanation of the evolution ...

I enjoy the measured tone and the explanation of the evolution of morality. de Waal's undgomatic atheism is a relief in a world of screaming matches about religion.Read more

Published 7 months ago by Bonnie Fairbanks

the elderly or injured amazed me no end

A very interesting and illuminating book. First of all, my knowledge of bonobos was shamefully small. Their faces are so different from chimpansees end even more human.Read more

Published 7 months ago by Sigrid Ross

I thoroughly enjoyed learning from this book

I thoroughly enjoyed learning from this book. It's not religion vs. evolution. It's about how our altruism may have been with us forever and we are inherently good...

Published 8 months ago by LoganW

Five Stars

EXCELLENT AJ

Published 10 months ago by Amazon Customer

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water: religion and science need each other.

This book makes an invaluable contribution to the peaceful coexistence of religion and science in today's world. Some especially compelling insights about human nature:
1.Read more

Published 10 months ago by Brain Wealth

Five Stars

Simple and bright

Published 10 months ago by Santiago Vergara

Part of nature

This book underlines the fact that humans are not that different from other animals, not even in forming moral values, showing compassion and altruism, and having empathy.Read more

Published 11 months ago by Gerald P. Petersen

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