Frans de Waal

On Atheists and Bonobos is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and primatologist Frans de Waal (1948-2024) at Emory University, who is renowned for his work on the behaviour and social intelligence of primates. This thought-provoking conversation examines fascinating questions such as: Are we born with an innate sense of “the good”? Do we learn from others what is “wrong”? Does religion determine, or is it a result of, morality?

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Aping Morality, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

1. Denying Our Inner Animal – Cartesian dogs, religious baggage and false dichotomies
2. Morality and Evolution – Between chimpanzees and bonobos
3. The Demise of Veneer Theory – Science discovers human cooperation and empathy
4. The Roots of Religion – A sociological approach
5. Community Concern – Chimpanzee groups and Golden Rules
6.  Beyond Theatrics – Reconciling science, religion and mortality
7. American Exceptionalism – Speculations on religiosity
8. Testing Morality – Fairness, cooperation, risk-taking and more
9. Reasons for Optimism – Positive behaviour throughout the animal world
10. Breaking Down Barriers – Towards species continuity

A one-hour video of this conversation is available on VOD here. Frans de Waal is also featured in 5 documentary-style compilations together with several other renowned researchers. Available on Ideas Roadshow’s digital resources platforms plus Kanopy and Boclips.