The Bonobo and the Atheist
by Frans de Waal · first published 2013
100% recommend
A renowned primatologist argues that ethical behavior witnessed in animals is the evolutionary and biological origin of human fairness and explains that morality has more to do with natural instincts than with religion.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2013–2025The world until yesterday
Jared Diamond, Efrén del Valle Peñamil
Recommended by 11 · mentioned by 2311 recommend · 23 mention11 recommend · 2311 recommend
2007–2025Bible
Recommended by 24 · mentioned by 3224 recommend · 32 mention24 recommend · 3224 recommend
2012–2026The Righteous Mind
Jonathan Haidt
Recommended by 94 · mentioned by 14494 recommend · 144 mention94 recommend · 14494 recommend
2007–2026Guns, Germs, and Steel
Jared Diamond
Recommended by 214 · mentioned by 510214 recommend · 510 mention214 recommend · 510214 recommend
I recommend Jared Diamond's 'The World Until Yesterday' ('Guns, Germs and Steel' also covers some related topics), or Frans de Waal's 'The Bonobo and the Atheist'. In general I think there's broad agreement that in bands and small tribes of up to a few hundred people there's basically no hierarchy. Even when a chief emerges, he/she doesn't have a lot of power…
on “Whales in 19th century shared information about ship attacks” ↗…http://www.amazon.com/Antifragile-Things-That-Disorder-Incer... * Jared Diamond. The World until yesterday, what can we learn from traditional societies http://www.amazon.com/World-Until-Yesterday-Traditional-Soci... * Frans de Waal. The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates http://www.amazon.com/Bonobo-Atheist-Search-Humanism-Primate... * John Higgs. The KLF: Chaos, Magic... http://www.amazon.com/KLF-Chaos-Magic-Music-Money-ebook/dp/B...…
on “Ask HN: Book Recommendations?” ↗…code for us, but observations and experiments with animals (and even plants) show that altruism, empathy, and cooperation spontaneously arise from the evolution. Excellent book on the subject is "The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates" by Frans de Waal.
on “Rats free each other from cages (2011)” ↗A, yes that's a topic I've been interested in all my life. ## Frans de Waal. The Bonobo and the Atheist "..evidence for the seeds of ethical behavior in primate societies that further cements the case for the biological origins of human fairness. Interweaving vivid tales from the animal kingdom with thoughtful…
on “Ask HN: What's the Best Book on Religion” ↗I don't think so, have you read 'The Bonobo and the atheist'? Humans are not the only ones using tools and in reality there isn't much difference between humans and animals. The conclusion I get from the book is that the only difference is religion. Although,…
on “430k-year-old well-preserved wooden tools are the oldest ever found” ↗