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100th out of 129 books
—
50 voters
The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society
"An important and timely message about the biological roots of human kindness."
—Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape
Are we our brothers' keepers? Do we have an instinct for compassion? Or are we, as is often assumed, only on earth to serve our own survival and interests? In this thought-provoking book, the acclaimed author of Our Inner Ape examines how empathy comes nat...more
—Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape
Are we our brothers' keepers? Do we have an instinct for compassion? Or are we, as is often assumed, only on earth to serve our own survival and interests? In this thought-provoking book, the acclaimed author of Our Inner Ape examines how empathy comes nat...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
September 22nd 2009
by Crown
(first published September 1st 2009)
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Reading this book constantly reminded me of our arrogance to consider that animals are not conscious, feeling beings. The author, a primatologist, does a great job recounting decades of animal research to back up his claim that both humans and our related animal cousins have a long history of community, social structure and organization, and responsibility to that community. He does an excellent job providing empirical research evidence that demonstrates that many species, particularly the great...more
borrow the book, read chapter 7, "crooked timber" for an excellent summary of what the author intents us to understand from his book. then read the whole thing. worthwhile reading.
the genre: science with a social purpose. first, to show us the latest science of empathy, and second to dispel the idea that humans are so unique to be a mountain range emerging from the plains of other creatures, but rather we are like a high peak surrounded by smaller ones, then foothills, then lower hills. those cr...more
the genre: science with a social purpose. first, to show us the latest science of empathy, and second to dispel the idea that humans are so unique to be a mountain range emerging from the plains of other creatures, but rather we are like a high peak surrounded by smaller ones, then foothills, then lower hills. those cr...more
Nature is well known as "red in tooth and claw." Yet many organisms exhibit remarkable cooperative behavior:
1. A cat makes daily rounds in a geriatric clinic in Providence, Rhode Island, sniffing and observing each patient, and then selecting one to curl up and purr beside. The cat has nurtured at least 25 patients, sensing with uncanny accuracy when one is about to die .
2. In an experiment at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, chimpanzees at a sanctuary in Uganda were shown a human u...more
1. A cat makes daily rounds in a geriatric clinic in Providence, Rhode Island, sniffing and observing each patient, and then selecting one to curl up and purr beside. The cat has nurtured at least 25 patients, sensing with uncanny accuracy when one is about to die .
2. In an experiment at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, chimpanzees at a sanctuary in Uganda were shown a human u...more
I was a bit torn about what to give this book;it's fairly good and I agree with its message, but I didn't feel like I learned much from it.
I think the following people would find the book useful or fascinating:
- people who don't think animals feel empathy
- people who don't think animals are intelligent
- people who think empathy is a "weak" emotion and ought to be overcome
- people who think empathy is opposed to "survival of the fittest"
De Waal answers all these misconceptions, and answers them w...more
I think the following people would find the book useful or fascinating:
- people who don't think animals feel empathy
- people who don't think animals are intelligent
- people who think empathy is a "weak" emotion and ought to be overcome
- people who think empathy is opposed to "survival of the fittest"
De Waal answers all these misconceptions, and answers them w...more
Frans de Waal is (almost) singlehandedly turning upside down the long-held notion of humans (and other animals) as supremely selfish, concerned only with their own survival, and perhaps survival of their offspring. de Waal finds instead huge amounts of empathy, cooperation, and concern amongst species, amongst tribal and other groups, and amongst families. de Waal has studied primates for years, and just about everything we thought was unique to humans also shows up in monkeys. They can count, t...more
I figured I haven’t read a ‘smart’ book lately; One where it actually takes brain power and makes you think about what you are reading. And it was great.
Yes, I did grab this book based on the chimps hand on the cover. But I am also a fan of Fran de Waal. As a fellow primatologist (hahahahahahaha okay, maybe a wannabe went to school to be one and now I’m stuck being a fricken secretary- as the laughter turns to tears) I respect the way he views primates, evolution, the relationships between Homo...more
Yes, I did grab this book based on the chimps hand on the cover. But I am also a fan of Fran de Waal. As a fellow primatologist (hahahahahahaha okay, maybe a wannabe went to school to be one and now I’m stuck being a fricken secretary- as the laughter turns to tears) I respect the way he views primates, evolution, the relationships between Homo...more
Is it just me, or does current non-fiction contain way too many personal anecdotes. Do I really care about something that happened to your brother-in-law? "Hot, Crowded, and Flat" was chock full of them. The difference between that work and "The Age of Empathy" is that there is some actual science behind de Waal's work. The "Age of Empathy" is really about several different emotions and traits thought to be uniquely human like empathy, sympathy, self awareness, sense of fair play, and egalitaria...more
This is a good book and this is an important book, even if it doesn't quite live up to its subtitle of providing prescriptions for a kinder society. What this book does offer however is an impressive survey of current and historical research which obliterates all but the faintest traces of the line dividing human from animal -- a line which was faint enough at the start. I can't see how any but the most careless of readers or intellectually dishonest persons could walk away from de Waal's *The A...more
I loved this book, and it was an interesting contrast to read it immediately after another popular-consumption book by a biologist (which I didn't like), "Why We Run" by Bernd Heinrich. Frans de Waal comes across as warm, engaging, the kind of guy who would be welcome at your dinner party. I laughed aloud at his somewhat odd Dutch humor a couple of times. His little hand-drawn sketches are also a charming touch.
The subject matter, of course, is what interested me in the first place, and I wasn't...more
The subject matter, of course, is what interested me in the first place, and I wasn't...more
This is the first book I’ve read by Frans de Waal. It is written in simple, accessible language and is positively stuffed with provocative ideas and anecdotal stories. The premise, that empathetic behaviors and tendencies predate our evolutionary pedigree, directly addresses underrepresented views in both evolutionary biology as well as popular conceptions of our own animal nature. I found his unapologetic attitude about the political implications of his work to be personally refreshing and scie...more
The author is a biologist who uses his studies of social behaviours in animals as a basis for the study of empathy. He argues that empathy comes naturally to humans as well as many animals. Acknowledging that there is far more research that needs to be done, he nevertheless shows that there is a solid base for further research on a variety of animals.
While many have argued that humans are, by nature, selfish, looking out for themselves at the expense of others, de Waal argues against this, and...more
While many have argued that humans are, by nature, selfish, looking out for themselves at the expense of others, de Waal argues against this, and...more
Empathy, argues Dr. De Waal, is not unique to humans. It is, instead, something that can be found throughout the animal kingdom in a variety of forms, and we humans are remiss to not look at the positive traits we share with animals. I’ve heard plenty about the negative traits we share with animals, and it was fascinating (and refreshing) to read the opposite spin – that getting in touch with our animalistic instincts can, in fact, be a very good thing. This book was enlightening to me, especial...more
I am so grateful that a scientist took it upon himself to write this book. It is an up-to-date explanation of the root of human empathy, its widespread existence among other animals, and its implications for human society. Most notably, this book concludes that there are two hands guiding human society: 1) the invisible hand of the market and 2) the hand of compassion. Scientific investigations have time and again concluded that people tend toward cooperation, a sense of fairness, and sharing mo...more
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I should have written this review a month ago when I first read this book; there are certain benefits to waiting, and allowing thoughts to percolate and constellate, but I have this problem where I forget things as I sleep on them. So ... I guess ... here goes?
I'm not a biologist, and I'm not a psychologist, although I love both of those fields. I took biology (and chemistry, and physics) all of the way through high school (hurrah for Australian/NSW study tracks!), and I only turned down entry...more
I'm not a biologist, and I'm not a psychologist, although I love both of those fields. I took biology (and chemistry, and physics) all of the way through high school (hurrah for Australian/NSW study tracks!), and I only turned down entry...more
Frans de Waal, a primatologist, writes a book with an interesting premise: that humans innately from a biological standpoint naturally want to help each other and the "community" (tribe, family, country, etc) as whole rather than be selfish. His main theme is to counter those (mainly conservative) politicians, policy makes, businessmen who justify that we are naturally selfish and our basic nature is "survival of the fittest." It's an interesting book; an easy read. I like and agree with the pre...more
You've got to love a book about primates that has chapter headings with quotes by Adam Smith and Immanuel Kant. And that's why this book is so exceptional, it makes you reconsider what is so special about our species in the first place and whether the Western concept of human exceptionalism is even a healthy trait to begin with.
Are concepts of justice, equality and empathy really glorious creations of the enlightenment or are they simply labels for phenomena that occur across the animal kingdom?...more
Are concepts of justice, equality and empathy really glorious creations of the enlightenment or are they simply labels for phenomena that occur across the animal kingdom?...more
Do you know that study that showed that capuchin monkeys would refuse to continue to complete a task if it saw that another monkey was getting a better reward for the same task? The capuchin monkeys would refuse cucumbers that they would usually happily work for if they saw a nearby monkey get a coveted grape.
This book is written by the man who ran that study!
I loved this book. The author has a keen eye for noting interesting facets of human and animal behavior. He sees larger trends in animal...more
This book is written by the man who ran that study!
I loved this book. The author has a keen eye for noting interesting facets of human and animal behavior. He sees larger trends in animal...more
This has become one of my favorite books, purchased in audiobook format, listened to twice. Excellent! Gave it as a gift to two people this year. This book discusses the origins of empathy and illustrates its importance in the evolution of human beings and other animals. We certainly didn't get this far by preying on one another and competing incessantly, even if that is the version of "human nature" we're peddled these days to justify and rationalize the systems and institutions currently in pl...more
This book is really hard to rate. I liked this book and I love DeWaal so I feel like a dick for only giving it 3 stars, but there were so many cringeable moments that I can't in good conscious give it the 4 star ratting I would like. My big complaint is DeWaal relies so heavily on observational methods, which is very interesting and useful, but then dismisses critics (who regard observational findings as inconclusive) as big reductionistic meanies who are too un creative or tin hearted to unders...more
I enjoyed de Waal's perspective on animal and human empathy, and his insights as a primatologist. I found his discussion of the naturalistic fallacy useful ("as it is in nature, so it ought to be be in our society"), particularly with reference to some of the ickier facets of social Darwinism. BUT I found that some of de Waal's own conclusions sometimes smacked of the naturalistic fallacy, and his periodic tirades against behaviourism grew a little frustrating.
In short, I was incredibly interes...more
In short, I was incredibly interes...more
After knowing one's self and figuring out the world and your place in it, empathy is the next important thing, and I have mentioned such many times in my own writing. So, that would be me excited about this book.
Frans points out how right-wingers and calculating capitalists will readily embrace evolution--under the guise of Social Darwinism--to bolster their view that life is a competition, survival of the fittest. So maximizing personal gain at whatever cost to others becomes justified by natur...more
Frans points out how right-wingers and calculating capitalists will readily embrace evolution--under the guise of Social Darwinism--to bolster their view that life is a competition, survival of the fittest. So maximizing personal gain at whatever cost to others becomes justified by natur...more
Every once in a while, when your heart is heavy with all the fighting and hatred and envy and competition and the nastiness of your fellow humans, it is good to read about the kindness of other animals (besides man). Yes, there is plenty of cruelty in nature but there is also cooperation, compassion and loyalty. It's so fascinating (and so healing) to read example after example of animals caring for each other. Oh, and Franz de Waal, a biologist, writes with humor and clarity.
What a fun book! Full of stories of animals taking care of each other.
A chimp found a bird stunned from hitting the glass of her enclosure. She took the bird to the highest point in the enclosure, spread its wings to set it free.
Two juvenile chimps had caught a duckling and were treating it roughly. An adult ran over, scattered the young apes, and pushed the last duck remaining into the water.
Another chimp was being given treats while her confined companions watched. After a while, she refused...more
A chimp found a bird stunned from hitting the glass of her enclosure. She took the bird to the highest point in the enclosure, spread its wings to set it free.
Two juvenile chimps had caught a duckling and were treating it roughly. An adult ran over, scattered the young apes, and pushed the last duck remaining into the water.
Another chimp was being given treats while her confined companions watched. After a while, she refused...more
It's true many people equate human kindness and other notions of justice, compassion and forgiveness as something separately human. Primatologist, de Waal makes an excellent case that animals too demonstrate compassion and kindness. The time of thinking 'bad' human behavior should be labeled 'animalistic' or 'wild' should now be considered a way of the past...
Nothing wrong with the book, and it makes a few interesting points involving primate research and especially the 'human-ness of animals. The major drawback is that this book doesn't deal with real humans except for a few easy chip shots as the current wealth disparity. Not a bad book if you want to learn about animals, but not the most relevant to people.
I heard the author interviewed on NPR and thought it sounded like a Darwin 2.0 book, which interested me. The book talks through some of primate behaviors we have hardwired into our innate conscious. There's lots of application to better understanding these primal behaviors in our modern lives. Fascinating and fun read.
Great read! de Waal makes compelling correlations between primate studies and our own nature. Using historical, economic and popular political culture references, shows that caring and empathy are natural to our species. Pokes holes in the rhetoric used enforce the 'survival of the fittist' standard that many use to justify acts such as war and greed. Every debate about government and society makes huge assumptions about human nature, which are presented as if they come straight out of biology....more
An engrossing, lucid exploration of the origins of human morality that challenges our most basic assumptions, from the world's leading primatologist.
Listen to The Age of Empathy on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to The Age of Empathy on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
The Age of Empathy is a good, light read. It gets a little political, which I could have done without even though it sounds like I mostly agree with the author. Anybody who wants to hear about apes being better people than people are without too much brain-hurt should pick it up.
Fascinating study about one of my fave subjects: human kindness. I saw De Waal speak at Stanford a couple years ago and I was hooked. We can learn so much by looking at animal behavior, as De Waal does in new and intriguing ways. Share a yawn with me, won't you?
4.0 Stars.
4.0 Stars.
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"Frans B.M. de Waal, PhD (born 29 October 1948, 's-Hertogenbosch), is a Dutch psychologist, primatologist and ethologist. He is the Charles Howard Candler professor of Primate Behavior in the Emory University psychology department in Atlanta, Georgia, and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and author of numerous books including Chimpanzee Politics an...more
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