The Bonobo and the Atheist (Audible Audio Edition) Frans de Waal Jonathan Davis Audible Studios Books
Download As PDF : The Bonobo and the Atheist (Audible Audio Edition) Frans de Waal Jonathan Davis Audible Studios Books
In this lively and illuminating discussion of his landmark research, esteemed primatologist Frans de Waal argues that human morality is not imposed from above but instead comes from within. Moral behavior does not begin and end with religion but is in fact a product of evolution.
For many years, de Waal has observed chimpanzees soothe distressed neighbors and bonobos share their food. Now he delivers fascinating fresh 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 philosophical analysis, de Waal seeks a bottom-up explanation of morality that emphasizes our connection with animals. In doing so, de Waal explores for the first time the implications of his work for our understanding of modern religion. Whatever the role of religious moral imperatives, he sees it as a "Johnny-come-lately" role that emerged only as an addition to our natural instincts for cooperation and empathy.
But unlike the dogmatic neo-atheist of his book's title, de Waal does not scorn religion per se. Instead, he draws on the long tradition of humanism exemplified by the painter Hieronymus Bosch and asks reflective readers to consider these issues from a positive perspective What role, if any, does religion play for a well-functioning society today? And where can believers and nonbelievers alike find the inspiration to lead a good life?
Rich with cultural references and anecdotes of primate behavior, The Bonobo and the Atheist engagingly builds a unique argument grounded in evolutionary biology and moral philosophy. Ever a pioneering thinker, de Waal delivers a heartening and inclusive new perspective on human nature and our struggle to find purpose in our lives.
The Bonobo and the Atheist (Audible Audio Edition) Frans de Waal Jonathan Davis Audible Studios Books
This was a very educational and eye opening book, in which the author offers examples of the practice of morality, empathy, and sympathy in bonobo chimpanzees (and other animals as well) and postulates that having a religious perspective is not necessarily a prerequisite for moral behavior, but that moral practices are part of our evolutionary history as evidenced by our closet living relatives, the primates. The book does not denigrate religion though, offering that it is a good in that if offers those who practice it community, fellowship, and social bonding. There is ample evidence offered in the book though that religious belief is not at all required for morality to be practiced among the "higher primates" (i.e., us!) Really an enlightening and mind expanding book, recommended.Product details
|
Tags : Amazon.com: The Bonobo and the Atheist (Audible Audio Edition): Frans de Waal, Jonathan Davis, Audible Studios: Books, ,Frans de Waal, Jonathan Davis, Audible Studios,The Bonobo and the Atheist,Audible Studios,B00D1YRSD4
People also read other books :
- Wisteria Witches Series Bundle Books 13 eBook Angela Pepper
- 44 Winning Tactics for Great Soccer Goalkeeping Mirsad Hasic 9781517489779 Books
- Bobbie Billionaire cyberspace adventures eBook Budd Carter
- Firefly Hollow T L Haddix 9781945445002 Books
- Renew Refresh Refine Your Heart Soul and Mind Melanie Shull 9781496109392 Books
The Bonobo and the Atheist (Audible Audio Edition) Frans de Waal Jonathan Davis Audible Studios Books Reviews
Eye-opening and mind-opening. I'm one of the "neo-atheist" he points a finger at and I took his point. There is much much much more to life than "my opinion" vs "their opinion." This is a book that is worth reading. It WILL make you think regardless of your point of view.
I’ve read most of Frans de Waal’s books, which I favor. To me, this one spent too little time on animal observations and too much discussing “The Garden of Earthly Delights...”, which I personally don’t like.
Many of the observations he did report, however, were well chosen to make his points and often charming.
Frans de Waal goes into great depth in his research to put to rest some very disturbing ideas science has been plagued with for a long time. Animals are automatons, they have no feelings, all their actions are based on instinct, humans are the only being with feelings. Humans are intrinsically nasty, evil, brutish killers that are only barely restrained my the laws and morality civilization has imposed on us. All of these ideas are being proven very, very wrong in field research everyday. De Waal takes the time to show how our inner nature is shared with other mammals, and how we are not what we have been told. He does this in a light hearted and gentle way to not offend, but educate. I recommend this book very highly.
A very thought-provoking book, with a more reasonable slant on the science vs. religion debate than I've heard from other scientists. I think, though, that anyone interested in the debate over the necessity of religion in morality would find a very convincing argument in this book.
Don't let the title fool you. This book is less about the religious perspective then you think. The author claims to be an atheist, but is quite complimentary to religion and farley chastising of modern atheism. In my opinion, his statements about religion and religious practices is the least interesting part of the book. Thankfully he doesn't spend a lot of time on the matter.
The fascinating part of this book is the authors personal accounts of his work with primate species, the sanctuaries, zoos and other scientists in similar or other animal behavioral fields. The similarities and differences between the primate social societies and our own are truly amazing. He concentrates mostly on morality, empathy, sympathy, altruism and a few other behaviours that many mistakenly deem as solely human attributes. If you love animals and love to learn about their behaviours. I definitely recommend this.
De Waal is a bit too hard on radical atheists (Cut us a break. Our childhood religious indoctrination left permanent psychological scars); that is the only objection I have to this wonderful explanation of the biological roots of human morality. We are not slaves to our biology, but to progress as a global civilization, we have to understand biology's determinative role in our ethical and moral behavior.
When de Waal writes about cooperation, empathy, and social regulation among primates, it's fascinating and easy to see how it relates to discussions of how religion may have emerged and the role it plays for us socially. When he writes about modern atheism, he is sometimes on shakier ground. Although he observes the anger and frustration some prominent atheists have with religion, he seems to chalk it up to bitterness or just random contrariness. He fails to realize that this response is based on the concrete harm atheists attribute to religion. They aren't "sleeping furiously" because they just woke up hating the idea of a god or because they want to strip comfort from people's lives. Their response is based on looking around and seeing the violence, bigotry, and denial of science that religion has actually brought to the world. His attempt to present himself as the "moderate atheist" seems to be rooted in a refusal to fully understand the nature of the objections of theism.
This was a very educational and eye opening book, in which the author offers examples of the practice of morality, empathy, and sympathy in bonobo chimpanzees (and other animals as well) and postulates that having a religious perspective is not necessarily a prerequisite for moral behavior, but that moral practices are part of our evolutionary history as evidenced by our closet living relatives, the primates. The book does not denigrate religion though, offering that it is a good in that if offers those who practice it community, fellowship, and social bonding. There is ample evidence offered in the book though that religious belief is not at all required for morality to be practiced among the "higher primates" (i.e., us!) Really an enlightening and mind expanding book, recommended.
0 Response to "≡ Download The Bonobo and the Atheist (Audible Audio Edition) Frans de Waal Jonathan Davis Audible Studios Books"
Post a Comment