Good Natured:
The Origins of
Right and
Wrong in
Humans and
Other Animals
Frans de Waal
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Good Natured: The Origins of Morality in Humans and Animals by Frans de Waal - Prof. James, Study Guides, Projects, Research of World History
A summary of frans de waal's book 'good natured: the origins of right and wrong in humans and other animals'. The book explores the evolution of ethics through observations of animal behavior, particularly chimpanzees and bonobos. De waal argues that human nature is not fundamentally brutish and that the capacity for caring and sympathy has evolved despite the basic thrust of evolution being genetic self-advancement. The book covers topics such as reciprocal altruism, sympathy, rank and order, and quid pro quo.
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Good Natured:
The Origins of
Right and
Wrong in
Humans and
Other Animals
Frans de Waal
Frans de Waal ►Dutch primatologist and ethologist (primates and animal behavior) ►Professor of Primate Behavior at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia ►PhD in Psychology ►Believes strongly in mental connection between humans and
Good Nature: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals ►Published 1996 ►Animal behavior and the evolution of ethics ►Observations of chimpanzees and bonobos
Prologue
► (^) Human vs. Humane
Separation from the
animals
► (^) “We are facing the profound paradox that genetic self- advancement at the expense of others— which is the basic thrust of evolution— has given rise to remarkable capacities for caring and sympathy.” (5) ► (^) Human nature is not
Chapter 1: Darwinian Dilemmas (cont.)
► Reciprocal altruism
Exchanged acts are
beneficial to
recipient but
costly to the
performer
Time lag between
giving and
receiving
Giving is
dependent on
receiving
► Adam Smith’s
“Invisible Hand”
(^) “our actions may mean
Chapter 1: Darwinian Dilemmas (cont.) ► (^) Conditions for Evolution of Morality (34) (^) 1. Group Value – dependence on group for food/protection (^) 2. Mutual Aid – cooperation and exchange within group (^) 3. Internal Conflict – individual members have their own interests ► (^) Intragroup conflicts need to be resolved through balancing individual interests which can be done at two levels: (^) 1. Dyadic – one-on-one interaction i.e. direct reciprocation of aid and reconciliation following
Chapter 2: Sympathy
(cont.)
►Elephants expres sing grief about the death of a relative ►Chimpanzee’s exhibit consolation and responsiveness to distress in others
Chapter 2: Sympathy (Cont)
► What makes an animal
react the way they do?
► Do they have any idea of
how their behavior will
affect the other?
► We can never understand
what goes on inside an
animal’s mind, rather we
reconstruct mental
processes.(66)
► Why do monkeys feel
bothered when another is
being harmed…
Chapter 2: Sympathy (Cont)
► Animals are able to
notice how members of
their own species
relate to the
environment.
► i.e. Training of an
octopus to attack
either a red or white
ball. After the
training another
octopus was allowed to
observe in a separate
tank. When the balls
were dropped in the
Chapter 2: Sympathy Conclusion ► (^) The ability to care for others is the similarity animals and humans have in common. It is given most to one’s own family and is given to less to strangers. Both share a common emotional basis and similar constraints on expression. ► (^) “It is easily aroused but quickly forgotten; when remembered but not acted upon, its failure to produce action is easily rationalized. We are softened by the sight of one hungry child, but
Chapter 4: Quid Pro Quo ►The Less-than-Golden Rule (^) Reciprocal Altruism developed by Robert Trivers
►“Do as the other did, and expect the
other to do as you did.” (page 136)
►Food Sharing (^) Highly Valued but prone to decay, too much for a single individual to eat, unpredictably available, strength and skills needed, procured through teamwork ►
Chapter 4: Quid Pro Quo (cont.) ►From Revenge to Justice (^) Exchanges within and between species not involving food. (^) Social rankings leave little room for revenge.
►Requires formation
of teams and other
tactics.
Chapter 5: Getting Along (cont.)
► Peacemaking
Most primates have
some form
► Rope-Walking
Balancing peace and
aggression
“Unmitigated
competition, or a
social order partly
shaped and upheld by
aggression” (183)
► Community Concern
Third party
Chapter 6: Conclusion ►What does it take to be Moral? (^) Culture, Language, Politics (^) Floating Pyramids