Ideas Roadshow Conversations - On Atheists and Bonobos

This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and primatologist Frans de Waal, 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: Denying Our Inner Animal - Cartesian dogs, religious baggage and false dichotomies Morality and Evolution - Between chimpanzees and bonobos The Demise of Veneer Theory - Science discovers human cooperation and empathy The Roots of Religion - A sociological approach Community Concern - Chimpanzee groups and Golden Rules Beyond Theatrics - Reconciling science, religion and mortality American Exceptionalism - Speculations on religiosity Testing Morality - Fairness, cooperation, risk-taking and more Reasons for Optimism - Positive behaviour throughout the animal world Breaking Down Barriers - Towards species continuity About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series (100 books): Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers, including 3 Nobel Laureates, but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research. Howard Burton holds a PhD in physics and an MA in philosophy, and was the Founding Director of Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.