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Title: The Ape and the Sushi Master: Cultural Reflections of a Primatologist by Frans De Waal ISBN: 0-465-04176-0 Publisher: Basic Books Pub. Date: 24 December, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (10 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent, thought provoking, highly readable book
Comment: I was delighted when I saw that this book had come out. For those who had never read de Waal, both his 'Chimpanzee Politics' and book on bonobos were great books as general reading-- outside of the context of primate anthropology. He is an engaging writer with a good story to tell.
De Waal wants to make culture away from being a human-centric concept. Such, he uses stories from the world of monkies to make his point: animals have group-learned concepts and ways of doing things that differ from independant populations (I wish I could say this more eloquently....) He can flat out write.
Buy this book. Read this book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Arise, anthropomorphism!
Comment: Frans de Waal has taken the lead position in the swelling ranks of researchers clarifying the picture of humanity's place in nature. Combining his own and others' study of the great apes, he presents us a vivid survey of primate behaviour. His roots and experience are combined in this fascinating account. His Dutch background, American academic position, and keen observing powers have led him to redefine our view of our primate relatives. His critical insights are matched by his prose skills in presenting them, making this informative work a pleasure to read. There is much to be learned from de Waal. He removes any remaining doubt that we are at one with our fellow creatures.
De Waal challenges the dominant view among Western researchers that animal studies must be done from a detached view. He stresses the distinction between "anthropocentrism" and "anthropomorphism." The former sharply divides humans from the remainder of the animal kingdom, holding "culture" as a unique human artefact. The second, properly applied, enables us to view all the animal kingdom in a broader scale. De Waal cites the long history of Japanese primate research and more recent Western efforts as examples of the difference. The Eastern world integrates animals within its cultures while the Western view is humanity has been given "dominion" over them. In a practical sense, this outlook gave the Japanese a head start in primate research. They consider each individual in chimpanzee troops, where Westerners only perceive the group as an entity.
As de Waal escorts us through the last half-century of primate research, he assess the contributions of each of the major figures in the field. Lorenz, Tinbergen, Desmond Morris from the West are contrasted with their Eastern counterparts. Of particular importance is Japan's Imanishi Kinji a towering figure in primatology, almost unknown here. Imanishi's outlook was a near refutation of Darwin's natural selection. Imanishi rejected the idea that animal behaviour is genetically driven and began the redefinition of "culture" based on his studies of primates. With "culture's" many restraints cast away, Japanese researchers could perceive behaviour little noted in the West.
Some of de Waal's examples are breathtaking. Animal art occupies a chapter, dominated by examples of chimpanzee attitudes while they work. Dedicated attention, care in application and possessive attitudes lead to paintings equal to Pollock's and applauded by Picasso. Pigeons turn away from Schoenberg [and who can blame them] in favour of Bach. From the obverse angle, the number of human composers who have relied on birds and other animals for inspiration range from Mozart down. The message is clear: "culture" is an aspect of the entire animal kingdom. We are but a part of a universal condition.
It's de Waal's message about animal learning that tumbles the final barricade between humans and their kin. The title of this book is derived from apprentice sushi chefs spending years merely observing a master until they can demonstrate their own abilities. In a similar manner, our ape cousins learn by watching and imitating. The young may be better at learning than the old. One community may develop new habits unseen elsewhere. Later practitioners may add improvements to style and technique. Learning, however, is not limited to "wise man." It's a trait that may be applied to any species with sufficient intellect and dexterity to demonstrate it.
De Waal's presentation challenges the entire scholarship of thinking about evolution. He will not accept the "traditional" view of human uniqueness in culture or learning capacity. Nor does he accept the more recent "selfish gene" thesis of innate adaptation traits. His balanced view will force many to rethink their ideas to arrive at a new synthesis of human and animal behaviour patterns. The book is a clear assertion that much research remains to be undertaken in improving our understanding of where evolution has led us. A provocative, thought stimulating book, yet highly readable, makes this effort worthy of the accolades it has received.
Rating: 4
Summary: What is Culture?
Comment: And do apes and other animals have it? For some reason I didn't find it too long a reach to say that apes and other animals have culture. How much of an organism's brain is hard-wired and how much allows for the flexibility of learning...learning such that you change your daily behavior, be it eating or mating or whatever. Sure, why not? Why can't animals observe each other and change their own behavior when they see something that works? I've never really looked at intelligence, let alone culture, as things that are discrete, parceled out in specific quantities "to each according to his need" to each species, but rather as more free flowing phenomena, with some chance for overlap between ourselves and our animal (and not just primate) brethren.
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Title: Tree of Origin : What Primate Behavior Can Tell Us about Human Social Evolution by Frans B. M. de Waal ISBN: 0674010043 Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr Pub. Date: 15 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals by Frans De Waal, Frans de Waal ISBN: 0674356616 Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr Pub. Date: October, 1997 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape by F. B. M. De Waal, Frans Lanting, Frans De Waal, Frans de Waal ISBN: 0520216512 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: October, 1998 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among Apes by Frans De Waal ISBN: 0801863368 Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr Pub. Date: May, 2000 List Price(USD): $20.95 |
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Title: Peacemaking Among Primates by Frans De Waal, F. B. M. De Waal ISBN: 067465921X Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr Pub. Date: September, 1990 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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