Our Inner Ape
by Frans de Waal · first published 2005
3mentions
3recommended by
3HN commenters
2010–2025first – last mentioned
100% recommend
It's no secret that humans and apes share a host of traits, from the tribal communities we form to our irrepressible curiosity. We have a common ancestor, scientists tell us, so it's natural that we act alike. But not all of these parallels are so appealing: the chimpanzee, for example, can be as vicious and manipulative as any human.Yet there's more to our shared primate heritage than just our violent streak. In Our Inner Ape, Frans de Waal, one of the world's great primatologists and a renowned expert on social behavior in apes, presents the provocative idea that our noblest qualities—genero
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris -- a zoological study of homo sapiens. A classic nicely supplemented by Our Inner Ape by Frans der Waal.
on “Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009?” ↗…tells me I and other people are rational beings, my own behavior tells me otherwise. Why else would I eat a candy when I rationally know I don’t need it? For people interested, I can highly recommend Our Inner Ape by Frans de Waal. It tells many interesting stories about social interactions between apes that look surprisingly human. By the way, did you know that apes pick their nose, just like humans?
on “Windshield pitting incidents in Washington reach fever pitch on April 15, 1954 (2003)” ↗If anyone is interested more in Bonobos and wants to learn more about that species and the way that species connects with humanity I suggest the following book: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Inner-Ape-Primatologist-Explains/... I read it many years ago and thought it to be excellent!
on “Bonobos' calls may be the closest thing to animal language we've seen” ↗