The Bonobo and the Atheist

By: Frans de Waal

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2013 Frans de Waal (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Yes, I do recommend this book for future readers or listeners.

Precise, sharp, solid, structured! I am just discovering you dear Mr de Waal. Enjoyed the book from the first word up to the end. A quality produce of Human intelligence. Thank you.

Less science and more meditative

I suspect I'm being a little generous with 4 stars. It isn't that I don't enjoy the writing of de Waal; I do. I read de Waal's Age of Empathy (2009), which is why I moved on to The Bonobo and the Atheist (2013). Age of Empathy contains a good many anecdotes from research about animal empathy, which are informative and entertaining. The Bonobo and the Atheist is more meditative. de Waal considers matters of atheism and religion intellectually, but with much less research. Jheronimus Bosch is his companion in these meditations time after time, using the paintings as a guide in his reflections. There are some research-based anecdotes, one of which was so surprising to me that I immediately sought out a companion with whom to share it. (Did you know a juvenile chimpanzee used a log for hours as a proxy baby chimp, cradling it and gently placing it in a night-time nest? Imagination is alive in other primates.) However, that doesn't alter the overall meditative tone on atheism and religion from the European secular perspective rather than harder science. I just happen to like the European secular perspective and de Waal's thoughts about those matters.

A fascinating glimpse into the origins of morality

The author clearly has a thorough understanding of primate behavior and offers a compelling argument for a natural, evolved origin of our innate, instinctive human morality.

Very insightful

Perhaps the book should have been called the Chimp, the Bonobo, and the Atheist.

Our closest cousins, morality and religion

Waal again does a splendid job of connecting us to our closest relatives. But more than that, he reminds us that - for animals which survive best in groups - the actions that support the group which essentially coincide with what humans call morality or moral behavior are evolutionary reinforced in several species and apparently anti-date anything humans would call religion.
The step he has not yet taken is the step by step transformation of religion as observation and the enlistment of the perceptions of a growing group of observers have made our world and our communities ever larger. Living in a forest in a small group gods could be everywhere and every plant and animal could be sacred while the group itself enforced moral “pro- group behavior. Larger groups living on open plains could be happy with a flat earth and a God or a Pantheon of gods who intervened to enforce morality now or in an afterlife. As we realized our earth was round and eventually realized it was not the center of the universe, the religion which defined our activity in that universe had to expand with our growing universe. As science finally gave a universe where even our galaxy - far from being the center of the universe as it had been until Hubbell’s discoveries in the 1920’s - our galaxy was just one of billions of galaxies, our vision of God needed to grow and change. The reason for the rise of atheism- especially in Europe - is that the universe - the size of our reality - has grown more than exponentially but our vision of God has not grown. Our vision of God must grow to match our massively larger universe.

Social norms explained.

Loved the book, it’s well thought out and full of real life examples of our close relative’s behavioral similarities. To me this helps me understand where we came from and how the social norms have developed over time in social groups. Therefore the idea that our norms and rules came from “above”, has no merit.

The origins of morality

This well-written and accessible book reveals primate and mammal social behavior likely serves as the wellspring of human morality, ethics, and religion. Recommended.

Mocking Comment My Only Complaint . . . 🤨💭

The author’s deriding comment about ‘NDE’ (Near Death Experience) with a smirking tone of voice put a damper on this otherwise highly educational book. Remarkable insight and documented sources that all added to me appreciation our nonhuman relatives still living with nature. Most important though, is knowing just how similar we really are and when and how we humans our most fundamental beliefs—it goes way, way back.

My only objection rests with the author’s offhanded comments about NDE came close to returning this book; it was that insulting, made with a mocking tone of voice. However, I even managed to learn something from this: Do ‘NOT’ ridicule another’s beliefs or claimed life’s experiences. My suggestion, Frans should study Raymond A. Moody’ offerings and find that beyond the tunnel of light one may discover ample evidentiary evidence that, when taken together, more than supports such experiences.

I have never had an NDE but then I did have a spontaneous ‘Near Life Experience’—or better yet, a ‘Pre-Life Experience’. It came right out of nowhere and I mean that literally. I’ll never forget it nor will I now make fun of someone who claims an ‘Atypical Life Experience’. If you can’t prove it or disprove it, then, don’t condemn it and never-ever make fun of someone’s beliefs. And ‘NO’, I am not promoting religion in any form but then neither am I denying it either—the truth lies as usual, somewhere in the middle. Oh, I still love Bonobos, simply because they’re probably our closest living nonhuman relative—on this planet, anyway.

‘veryWest’ for a very good rest.

Great book for all people

As a Christian, this book is especially helpful. The most important thing for Christians to do is share their faith. You cannot share your faith without knowing what the other person thinks. It is the dialogue between people that is important. This book is an example of someone who sees the reality of our animalistic tendencies, and discerns where our morality comes from. Having a dialogue with this truth opens us up to the reality of what we are. It is only in this dialogue between the reality of the world and theology that we can discern what our faith is, where it comes from, and how it should inform our lives. Ultimately, I think we need to ask the question: If God wants us to be robots, following strict rules without deviation, then why did He give us free will instead of just making us machines that would perform exactly as designed? For me, I think He created us with free will because He is asking us to be partners. I think He is showing us that He is seeking relationships with people who have the freedom to choose how they live. In that freedom, we can choose to live according to our mere animalistic tendencies, or we can transcend our animalistic side and live according to something greater.

This is a great book for challenging what you believe, getting you to think, and most importantly it opens you up to dialogue with the world we live in and our faith.

How to not be an Evangelical Atheist

Would you listen to The Bonobo and the Atheist again? Why?

I enjoyed it and I could possible listen to it again but it would be behind several other books. There is not a lot of revelation that needs to be retold. I enjoyed the philosophy and agreed with the author a fair amount but listening again wouldn't really change much.

Any additional comments?

I'm an agnostic and have experienced idiots from both sides of this argument. It is refreshing to hear another scientist talk about how evolution itself might be the root of religion without being evangelical for either side.