Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “De aap in ons” as Want to Read:
De aap in ons
by
From a scientist and writer E.O. Wilson has called "the world authority on primate social behavior" comes a fascinating look at the most provocative aspects of human nature through our two closest cousins in the ape family. From "one of the world's greatest experts on primate behavior" (Desmond Morris) comes a look at the most provocative aspects of human nature-power, sex
...more
Paperback, 264 pages
Published
2007
by Uitgeverij contact
(first published 2005)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
De aap in ons,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about De aap in ons
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of De aap in ons

Back in the 1980s, I took several anthropology courses at university. I emerged from them thinking that studying chimpanzees would help my understanding of humanity. In part, I was right--the missing piece to the puzzle was the bonobo (otherwise known as pygmy chimpanzee). They were not even mentioned in any class that I took at that time.
Frans de Waal is an excellent guide to the behaviour and psychology of both chimps and bonobos. He also seems to have a solid grounding in human philosophers a ...more
Frans de Waal is an excellent guide to the behaviour and psychology of both chimps and bonobos. He also seems to have a solid grounding in human philosophers a ...more

Feb 14, 2008
Michael
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
science-technology-medicine
As one would expect from a book called "Our Inner Ape" written by a popular primatologist, this book was largely about similarities between humans and our closest primate relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, and the evolutionary cause of these similarities. At the heart of De Waal's argument that biologists, primatologists, and most importantly evolutionary psychologists have emphasized the connections between chimp behavior and human behavior at the expense of the other side of human behavior, w
...more

Great read for anyone wanting to learn more about lessons to be gained on human nature based on recent discoveries about our primate relatives, especially chimps and bonoboes. The model of chimps as Edenic creatures was darkened by discovery of their versions of warfare and murder, while the pansexual and female dominated society of bonoboes can't provide an ideal model of human society because of the contrast with our core dependence on the nuclear family. The major topics covered in the book a
...more

Mixed feelings about this one. I am interested in the subject but wasn't totally engaged by the writing. In particular, I felt the author adopted an unattractive condescending tone when criticising others, which is something he likes to do a lot. I had the impression some of his barbs were intended as humour, but instead he came over as rather arrogant and disdainful.
That said, there is plenty of interesting stuff in here about chimpanzees and bonobos. Dr. de Waal is clearly an expert in his fie ...more
That said, there is plenty of interesting stuff in here about chimpanzees and bonobos. Dr. de Waal is clearly an expert in his fie ...more

The "Inner Ape" takes it's title from Helena Bonham Carter's answer to how she prepared for her role in the remake of the Planet of the Apes. It touches on the contrasts between bonabos and chimpanzees and their similarties to humans using anecdotes and results of studies.
Information I found interesting was: chimps and bonobos split from each other 2.5 mya vs 5mya from us; and when Jane Goodall broke the news that chimps hunted to kill her message was unwelcome.
Her colleagues aksed her to downp ...more
Information I found interesting was: chimps and bonobos split from each other 2.5 mya vs 5mya from us; and when Jane Goodall broke the news that chimps hunted to kill her message was unwelcome.
Her colleagues aksed her to downp ...more

I went into this book wanting to believe everything de Waal wrote, as his Good Natured shone such light on how much we have in common with other primates. He demonstrated that most of our ideas of goodness exist in our older genetic neighbors and that goodness is more natural than we often give it credit. Like in much of de Waal’s writing, here he compares beliefs of human behavior to observation of other primates, specifically chimpanzees and bonobos, which sport radically different social beha
...more

This is the first of Franz de Waal's books I have read. He sets out to convince us that we share many social traits with other apes - both positive and negative. Specifically, he debunks the notion that civilized human society is just a thin veneer overlying a violent and aggressive foundation. He disputes Richard Dawkins' notion that "survival of the fittest" implies individual selection only and leaves no room for a social aspect of human/ape evolution.
Along the way, he asks the question, "Wha ...more
Along the way, he asks the question, "Wha ...more

Wonderfully written on our closest genetic relatives: chimpanzees and bonobos, this book delves into the behavior of patriarchal, aggressive chimpanzees and the matriarchal, peaceful and sexually free bonobos. I find it telling that behavior-wise humans are in the middle of the behavior of the aforementioned apes. Discussing a wide variety of topics such as power, sex, food competition, language, and scapegoats the author shows how humans differ and are similar to the other great apes. The book
...more

We are all apes, like it or not. We share a lot with our great evolutionary cousins, such things as empathy, compassion, kindness, power competition, consolation and violence. Humans are the most violent and the most kind creatures on earth, we are the most bipolar creatures that exist, we do the most terrible things and we do the most kind things, our hate is unmatched, our love is without border. In some ways we are unique in many others we aren't.
We should do better to protect great apes, su ...more
We should do better to protect great apes, su ...more

My second read for De Waal.
I enjoyed it more than "Are We As Smart Enough …...?"
It puts under scope the primates behavior -specially the chimpanzee and bonobo- and how it's linked to our behavior.
If I'm asked to sum up the book in few lines I would use these;
"If people laugh at primates at the zoo, they do so, I suspect, precisely because they're unsettled by the mirror held up to them."
"Primates arouse a certain nervousness because they show us ourselves in a brutally honest light, reminding ...more
I enjoyed it more than "Are We As Smart Enough …...?"
It puts under scope the primates behavior -specially the chimpanzee and bonobo- and how it's linked to our behavior.
If I'm asked to sum up the book in few lines I would use these;
"If people laugh at primates at the zoo, they do so, I suspect, precisely because they're unsettled by the mirror held up to them."
"Primates arouse a certain nervousness because they show us ourselves in a brutally honest light, reminding ...more

Mar 03, 2018
Meaningless
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
psychology,
biology
Reading this book makes me extremely sad. May be that happens when you observe or read about the lives of animals busy in their struggle for survival and procreation. They go to extreme lengths to find food, shelter and mate. The salmon fish travel thousands of miles just to lay eggs in their birthplace. After laying eggs all die in order to be consumed by their offsprings few months later. The female octopus lays just one egg in her life and dies immediately after because of exhaustion. The may
...more

Jun 21, 2007
Flint
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
literate apes
Better than Jared Diamond's The Third Chimpanzee. Diamond only mentioned bonobos in passing; while Frans de Waal discusses them as much as he discusses chimpanzees while only mentions gorillas, ourang-outang, baboons and various monkeys in passing. Frans de Waal's willingness to explore bonobo sexuality make Diamond's "The Third Chimpanzee" seem prudish.
Studying the behavior of our closest species relatives provide a lot of insight into human social behavior.
Politically, Frans de Waal is a lib ...more
Studying the behavior of our closest species relatives provide a lot of insight into human social behavior.
Politically, Frans de Waal is a lib ...more

If there is one thing I love it is comparing apes. God this book was fabulous. Other apes have so much to teach us humans. I had been thinking that they could only teach us about sex and violence and I was very satisfied with that. But thanks to Frans, I now know they can also teach us about reciprocity and reconciliation and empathy and stuff and more stuff. This book swings even higher into the tree tops because it is engagingly written, which I don't expect from scientists. Frans throws in a
...more

Our Inner Ape is an interesting dose of research, facts and theories. If learning about why we are who we are has gotten you into this book, as mentioned on the book’s cover too, you are in for a big treat.
Right from the beginning, the parallels that Frans draws between our closest cousins: bonobons and chimpanzees, and us will leave you wondering and marveling over the facts and theories that now you have read sound so obvious, but if they weren’t kept in front of you the way they were, you ...more
Right from the beginning, the parallels that Frans draws between our closest cousins: bonobons and chimpanzees, and us will leave you wondering and marveling over the facts and theories that now you have read sound so obvious, but if they weren’t kept in front of you the way they were, you ...more


Being both more systematically brutal than chimps and more empathic than bonobos, we are by far the most bipolar ape. Our societies are never completely peaceful, never completely competitive, never ruled by sheer selfishness, and never perfectly moral.
— Frans de Waal
Here’s a true fact … there’s a species of great ape that exhibits the following behaviors:
- They are xenophobic and can be ruthless toward individuals who are not part of their group
- They frequently use violence to settle disputes ...more

I enjoyed listening to this book but, admittedly, it was a little dull in places. At the same time, it was extremely interesting and worth listening to. The comparison between humans and different ancestors, other than the usual comparison of chimps, was thought provoking. The small, very human stories about specific apes really helped paint a good, natural picture of how alike we are to our cousins.

incredibly informative and entertaining. I have so much respect for Frans De Waal as a researcher and a writer. the way he picks apart and supports aspects we see in chimpanzees and bonobos and THEN applies it seamlessly to the human experience is fascinating and written in a way that's fun to read.
I also just really really love bonobos. ...more
I also just really really love bonobos. ...more

if you've read chimpanzee politics, you will hear lots of rehashed and recycled ideas. i don't particularly like de waal's writing style, which is awkward due in part to the fact that english is not his native language and, i suspect, to his own personal style of speach. conclusions and trains of thought are a little too anthropocentric, focusing too frequently on what ape behavior means for humans. although all species are bound to be different in some way, we still insist on legitimizing behav
...more

Though this occasionally strays into pop psychology, I enjoyed this book all and all. It is refreshing to read from someone who sees looks at natural man and sees the positives, as well as the negatives.
Here’s a passage that I would say makes a good thesis of what Frans de Waal is arguing:
“We hear that we have selfish genes, that human goodness is a sham, that we act morally only to impress others. But if all that people care about is their own good, why does a day-old baby cry when it hears ano ...more
Here’s a passage that I would say makes a good thesis of what Frans de Waal is arguing:
“We hear that we have selfish genes, that human goodness is a sham, that we act morally only to impress others. But if all that people care about is their own good, why does a day-old baby cry when it hears ano ...more

A bit of a misleading title; is more about the behavioral traits of bonobos and chimpanzees, which while interesting, doesn't really directly address the topic. I think the author assumes that since other humans are reading about primate behavior, they can draw parallels on their own. Ultimately, this just reinforces what the reader already thinks, and doesn't introduce much in new insight.
Towards the very end of the book, he mentions, almost in passing, that there are bonobo/chimpanzee hybrids ...more
Towards the very end of the book, he mentions, almost in passing, that there are bonobo/chimpanzee hybrids ...more

Light behavioral science served up in the form of classic field study reporting. Our Inner Ape is a guy book and a nerd science book all rolled up in one. What’s not to love? OK, the title is a little too obvious. But let’s admit it, we all have a fascination with the “other branch” just to the left (6MM yrs/ago) of our own humanity. The similarities between the two specie's societies are not earth shattering but they are somehow life affirming. Seeing ourselves through a primal reflection power
...more

Dr. Waal compares human behavior to the apes he has studied. The book is totally varied. In many parts, he has the most fascinating information that includes lots of scientific data, his careful observations and his insightful ruminations.
Other times he is annoying as shit and goes off on these tangents about politics and things he pulls out of his ass that are totally not scientific. He just seems to have a feeling and know.
And I felt like he favored the bonobos big-time. I mean the chimps we ...more
Other times he is annoying as shit and goes off on these tangents about politics and things he pulls out of his ass that are totally not scientific. He just seems to have a feeling and know.
And I felt like he favored the bonobos big-time. I mean the chimps we ...more

I selected this book based on De Waal's reputation in primatology, interested in his thoughts on the root traits that define our human societies. Instead, he stumbled into politics often enough I finally set the book aside, unwilling to mix an objective study of science with a subjective analysis of world political problems. He could have cited a variety of international examples, but chose to concentrate on the USA and a few others, leaving me uncomfortable about his motives. I suggest he stick
...more

Sometimes, the best answers to the human condition rely upon observation not of ourselves, but of our ape cousins.
Frans de Waal, expert is primatology, explains to the reader why mankind should shift its egocentric, chauvinistic views to focus on a more fair, compared analysis of Homo Sapiens. He does it extremely well and with incredibly convincing arguments, a result of a deep research and extensive field work. A must read for everyone who wants to discover more about their own nature and who ...more
Frans de Waal, expert is primatology, explains to the reader why mankind should shift its egocentric, chauvinistic views to focus on a more fair, compared analysis of Homo Sapiens. He does it extremely well and with incredibly convincing arguments, a result of a deep research and extensive field work. A must read for everyone who wants to discover more about their own nature and who ...more

First of all let me acknowledge that this is among best of Science writing. When a book adds to my knowledge and propels me forward it deserves 5 stars. "Evolutionary psychologists are making Beethoven error.... in claiming.... product resembles process". In the last chapter Frans De Wall did have something to say about economists who use statistics to trivialize social capital, empathy and altruism!
...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Frans de Waal has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. The author of Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?, among many other works, he is the C. H. Candler Professor in Emory University’s Psychology Department and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
News & Interviews
Readers have a lot to look forward to this year! Just feast your eyes upon all of these debut books to check out and emerging authors to...
143 likes · 40 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“We would much rather blame nature for what we don’t like in ourselves than credit it for what we do like.”
—
19 likes
“I sometimes try to imagine what would have happened if we’d known the bonobo first and the chimpanzee only later—or not at all. The discussion about human evolution might not revolve as much around violence, warfare and male dominance, but rather around sexuality, empathy, caring and cooperation. What a different intellectual landscape we would occupy!”
—
19 likes
More quotes…