Chimps don't have language. Humans actively instruct others about how things should be done. Chimpanzees probably pick up cultural traditions by observation. Frans de Waal activelychimpchimpanzee Change image and share on social
Closeness to animals creates the desire to understand them, and not just a little piece of them, but the whole animal. It makes us wonder what goes on in their heads even though we fully realize that the answer can only be approximated. Frans de Waal animalanswerapproximate share on social
What is the evolutionary value of blushing? It seems not to be to our advantage to do it, to involuntarily reveal our inner emotions. If we're trying to manipulate or lie, actions in furtherance of individual goals as opposed to the goals of others, blushing would not seem to be helpful. And yet everyone blushes, except the psychopath. Frans de Waal actionadvantageblush share on social
I was raised Catholic. Not just a little bit Catholic, like my wife, Catherine. When she was young, many Catholics in France already barely went to church, except for the big three: baptism, marriage, and funeral. And only the middle one was by choice. Frans de Waal baptismbarelybig share on social
Chimpanzees, typically, kiss and embrace after fights. They first make eye contact from a distance to see the mood of the others. Then they approach and kiss and embrace. Frans de Waal approachchimpanzeecontact Change image and share on social
Very long ago our ancestors had moral systems. Our current institutions are only a couple of thousand years old, which is really not old in the eyes of a biologist. Frans de Waal agoancestorbiologist Change image and share on social
People want to work with somebody who feels shame, who worries about the perceptions of others. Dishonesty is something we don't like in others. Frans de Waal dishonestyfeltpeople Change image and share on social
The fact that the apes exist and that we can study them is extremely important and makes us reflect on ourselves and our human nature. In that sense alone, you need to protect the apes. Frans de Waal apeexistextremely Change image and share on social
I think we need to start thinking about grounding our moral systems in our biology. Frans de Waal biologygroundmoral Change image and share on social
Unlike the primate hand, the elephant's grasping organ is also its nose. Elephants use their trunks not only to reach food but also to sniff and touch it. With their unparalleled sense of smell, the animals know exactly what they are going for. Vision is secondary. Frans de Waal animalelephantfood share on social