Primates and Philosophers : How Morality Evolved / Frans de Waal; Josiah Ober, Stephen Macedo.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

de Waal, Frans, author.

Contributor:

Macedo, Stephen, editor.

Ober, Josiah, editor.

Series:

Princeton science library.

The University Center for Human Values Series ; 30

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ethics, Evolutionary.

Primates--Behavior.

Primates.

Altruistic behavior in animals.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (230 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, [2009]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Can virtuous behavior be explained by nature, and not by human rational choice? "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, renowned primatologist Frans de Waal argues that modern-day evolutionary biology takes far too dim a view of the natural world, emphasizing our "selfish" genes and reinforcing our habit of labeling ethical behavior as humane and the less civilized as animalistic. 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 Darwin, recent scientific advances, and his extensive research of primate behavior, de Waal demonstrates a strong continuity between human and animal behavior. He probes issues such as anthropomorphism and human responsibilities toward animals. His compelling account of how human morality evolved out of mammalian society will fascinate anyone who has ever wondered about the origins and reach of human goodness. 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 Philip 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.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction. Josiah Ober and Stephen Macedo

Part I. Morally Evolved: Primate Social Instincts,Human Morality, and the Rise and Fall of "Veneer Theory". Frans de Waal

Veneer Theory

Appendix A: Anthropomorphism and Anthropodenial

Appendix B: Do Apes Have a Theory of Mind?

Appendix C: Animal Rights

Part II: Comments

The Uses of Anthropomorphism / Wright, Robert

Morality and the Distinctiveness of Human Action / Korsgaard, Christine M.

Ethics and Evolution / Kitcher, Philip

Morality, Reason, and the Rights of Animals / Singer, Peter

Part III: Response to Commentators

The Tower of Morality / Waal, Frans De

References

Contributors

Index

Notes:

First paperback printing 2009.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [183]-196) and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9786612267659

9780691169163

0691169160

9781282267657

1282267655

9781400830336

1400830338

OCLC:

437044436