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Frans de Waal Quotes

Primatologist

Frans de Waal is a renowned primatologist, born on October 29, 1948. His research focuses on the social behavior and cognitive abilities of non-human primates, having a profound impact on human ethology and social psychology.

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All Humans Animal Ifs Chimpanzees Empathy Primates Apes Needs Emotions Morality Social Bonobos Homo Sapiens Males Evolution People Self Strong Two Groups

Famous Frans de Waal Quotes

“It is said that man is wolf to man. I find this very unfair to wolves.”

Philosophy Morality Sociology Bonobo

Book:Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved

Source: Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved

“Morality, after all, has nothing to do with selflessness. On the contrary, self-interest is precisely the basis of the categorical imperative.”

Self Interest Morality Bases Contrary Selflessness Imperatives Self Interest Categorical Imperative

Author:Frans de Waal

“It wasn't God who introduced us to morality; rather, it was the other way around. God was put into place to help us live the way we felt we ought to.”

Way Helping Felt Ought Morality

Book:The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates

Source: The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates

“To neglect the common ground with other primates, and to deny the evolutionary roots of human morality, would be like arriving at the top of a tower to declare that the rest of the building is irrelevant, that the precious concept of "tower" ought to be reserved for the summit.”

Humans Would Be Common Building Ought Morality Concepts Roots Deny Neglect Towers Irrelevant Summit Reserved Arriving Common Ground Primates

Book:Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved

Source: Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved

“Human morality is unthinkable without empathy.”

Humans Morality Empathy Unthinkable

Author:Frans de Waal

“Religion may have become a codification of morality, and it may fortify it, but it's not the origin of it.”

May Morality

Author:Frans de Waal

“The sturdiest pillars of human morality are compassion and a sense of justice.”

Humans Justice Compassion Morality Pillars

Author:Frans de Waal

“If you ask anyone, what is morality based on? These are the two factors that always come out: One is reciprocity, … a sense of fairness, and the other one is empathy and compassion.”

Ifs Two Inspiration Motivation Asks Compassion Morality Empathy Factors Fairness Reciprocity Compassion And Empathy

Author:Frans de Waal

About the Author

Born: October 29, 1948
Known for: Primatologist
Quotes: 137

Books & Sources

Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about OurselvesRelated source material

The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the PrimatesRelated source material

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?Related source material

Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are Who We AreRelated source material

Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among ApesRelated source material

Primates and Philosophers: How Morality EvolvedRelated source material

The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder SocietyRelated source material

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