Frans de Waal and 'The Age of Empathy' (broadcast Friday, October 23rd, 2009)

Is it human nature to be greedy and selfish? Primatologist Frans de Waal doesn't think so. In his new book "The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons For a Kinder Society" de Waal says empathy and solidarity are our primate heritage. De Waal joins guest host Joe Palca in this hour for look at how he thinks we humans may learn to get along better by looking to the natural world.

Guests

Frans de Waal
Author, "The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society," (Harmony Books, 2009)
C.H. Candler Professor of Psychology
Director, Living Links Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Related Links

Segment produced by:Annette Heist

Stories for
Friday, October 23rd, 2009

• Neuroscience Meeting Highlights
• Now Hear This
• All Listeners Must Wash Hands
• Are Humans Still Evolving?
• Frans de Waal and 'The Age of Empathy'
• Extinctions from Algae?

Elsewhere on Sciencefriday.com

Explore More

• Animals
• Mental Health
• Psychology
• Anthropology