Searching for the Roots of ‘Right’ and ‘Wrong’
25:37 minutes
In The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates, primatologist Frans de Waal explores traits like empathy and fairness in our closest relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees, and argues that human morality is not the product of rational thought or religion, but evolved long ago.
In the video above, observe the reactions of two Capuchin monkeys when they receive different rewards for same type of work.
Segment Guests
Frans de Waal
Frans de Waal is the C. H. Candler Professor at Emory University and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes Primate Center. De Waal lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Heard on the Air
Read an excerpt from The Bonobo and the Atheist.
Meet the Producer
About Christopher Intagliata
@cintagliataChristopher Intagliata was Science Friday’s senior producer. He once served as a prop in an optical illusion and speaks passable Ira Flatowese.