Lives Well Lived BRIAN HARE & VANESSA WOODS: the evolution of friendliness
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Nov 20, 2025 Brian Hare, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University, and Vanessa Woods, a researcher on animal behavior, share insights from their book, 'Survival of the Friendliest.' They discuss how friendliness, rather than aggression, has driven human success and cooperation. The duo contrasts the social structures of bonobos and chimpanzees, emphasizing empathy's dark side and how dehumanization emerges from it. They also explore the fascinating links between dog behavior and human emotions, revealing how friendliness can be a powerful life strategy in both animal and human societies.
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Book Inspired University Leadership Win
- Kasia used Survival of the Friendliest in a rector's campaign and won a university election.
- The book shaped her platform and led to her becoming vice-rector for internationalization.
Friendliness As Evolutionary Advantage
- Brian Hare's epiphany came from Siberian foxes bred to replace fear with attraction to humans, revealing friendliness can drive new cooperation.
- Losing fear and gaining attraction enabled communication and problem-solving with humans similar to dogs.
Friendliness Often Beats Dominance
- Friendliness can be less costly than dominance because aggression requires energy and risk.
- When ecology allows cooperation, friendliness is repeatedly favored by selection.
