CHAST Templeton Lecture 2010 Is man a wolf to man? Morality and the social behaviour of our fellow primates
Presented by: Professor Frans BM de Waal, CH Candler Professor at the Psychology Department, Emory University and Director of the Living Links Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, USA In this lecture, Dr de Waal will elaborate on the connection between morality and primate behaviour, and will review evidence for continuity to support the view that the building blocks of morality are older than humanity. When: Wednesday 15 December, 6.30pm Where: Eastern Avenue Auditorium, Eastern Avenue Cost: Free Abstract: Homo homini lupus - "man is wolf to man" - is an old Roman proverb popularized by Thomas Hobbes. Even though it permeates large parts of law, economics, and political science, the proverb fails to do justice to our species' thoroughly social nature as well as to canids, which are among the most gregarious and cooperative animals. For the past quarter century, this cynical view has also been promoted by an influential school of biology, followers of Thomas Henry Huxley, which holds that we are born nasty as a result of "selfish" genes. Accordingly, it is only with the greatest possible effort that we can hope to become moral beings. Charles Darwin, however, saw things differently: he believed in continuity between animal social instincts and human morality. He wrote an entire book about "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals". Modern psychology and neuroscience support Darwin's view about the moral emotions. Human moral decisions often stem from "gut" reactions, some of which we share with other animals. I will elaborate on the connection between morality and primate behavior. Other primates show signs of empathy, prosocial tendencies, reciprocity, and a sense of fairness that promote a mutually satisfactory modus vivendi. I will review evidence for continuity to support the view that the building blocks of morality are older than humanity. Recent books - de Waal, Frans (2009). The Age of Empathy (Harmony Books). http://www.emory.edu/LIVING_LINKS/empathy - de Waal, F. B. M. (2006). Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved (Princeton University Press). _______________________________________________ SydPhil mailing list: http://sydphil.info 945 subscribers now served. To UNSUBSCRIBE, change your MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS, find ANSWERS TO COMMON PROBLEMS, or visit our ONLINE ARCHIVES, please go to the LIST INFORMATION PAGE: http://sydphil.info
