Frans de Waal, an acclaimed Dutch primatologist, discusses the biology of good and evil, drawing parallels between primate and human behavior. He highlights the instinct for reciprocal cooperation and the crucial role of female choice in sexual selection. The necessity of play is explored, revealing its importance in social development and self-control. De Waal also delves into gender dynamics, the nature of aggression, and the reconciliation behaviors observed in both primates and humans, ultimately challenging societal views on morality and social interaction.

Humans are related to all other species here on Earth, but some are closer relatives than others. Primates, a group that includes apes, monkeys, lemurs, and others besides ourselves, are our closest relatives, and they exhibit a wide variety of behaviors that we can easily recognize. Frans de Waal is a leading primatologist and ethologist who has long studied cognition and collective behaviors in chimps, bonobos, and other species. His work has established the presence of politics, morality, and empathy in primates. His new book is Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist.Support Mindscape on Patreon.Frans de Waal received his Ph.D. in biology from Utrecht University. He is currently Charles Howard Candler Professor of Primate Behavior in the Department of Psychology at Emory University and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. Among his awards are the Knight of the order of the Netherlands Lion, the Galileo Prize, ASP Distinguished Primatologist, and the PEN/EO Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, not to mention an Ig Nobel Prize.Web pageCenter for the Advanced Study of Ape and Human EvolutionFacebook public pageGoogle Scholar publicationsWikipediaAmazon author pageSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we welcome Dr. Frans de Waal, a Dutch American biologist and primatologist known for his work on the behavior and social intelligence of primates. He is a professor in Emory University's psychology department and the Director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Chimpanzee Politics, The Age of Empathy, The Bonobo and the Atheist, and Mama's Last Hug are among his most popular books that have been translated in over 20 languages. His latest book is called Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist.In this episode, I talk to Frans de Waal about sex and gender. As a primatologist, he shares his research findings on the biological differences between male and female primates. Despite obvious distinctions between masculine and feminine behavior, great apes have no trouble accepting non-binary individuals—a behavior we humans need to practice more of. Dr. Frans clears up what alpha male really means and debunks the “natural order” of male supremacy. We also touch on the topics of socialization, power, altruism, reproduction, and equality. Website: www.emory.edu/LIVING_LINKSFacebook: /franspublic Topics03:11 What is a primatologist? 04:15 Biology in the gender debate08:42 Donna: the non-binary chimpanzee13:08 Dominance, power, and prestige17:12 Alpha males and alpha females 20:50 Sex differences in play and aggression24:45 Gender identity and self socialization31:30 The Selfish Gene 35:11 The evolution of the clitoris40:26 The stigma of female sexuality45:35 Extra-pair copulation and paternity testing50:35 Competition, rivalry, and conflict resolution54:54 Maternal instinct and xenophobia among primates59:03 Embodied cognitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frans de Waal, an esteemed ethologist and primatologist, shares insights into the intricate world of chimpanzee behavior. He discusses the balance of aggression and cooperation in their social structures, as well as the role of grooming in maintaining relationships. De Waal highlights the emergence of empathy and altruism in primates, emphasizing their evolutionary roots. The podcast dives into the dynamics of chimpanzee hierarchies and individual personalities, drawing fascinating parallels to human social interactions.

Frans de Waal, primatologue renommé, aborde la question du genre et de l'identité chez les primates et les humains. Il met en lumière l'influence de figures paternelles, les différences de préférences entre mâles et femelles, le mythe du mâle alpha et les émotions chez les primates. Le podcast explore l'importance de lutter contre l'inégalité des genres pour promouvoir la diversité des comportements animaliers.