authors:
- Waal, Frans de
content: 'This turned out to be Frans de Waal''s last book; he died in March 2024.
  In it, he compares the sexual differences in behavior of humans and primates, where
  the focus is on the bonobos and the chimpanzees, the two species that are genetically
  most close to humans. He navigates the controversial subject very well. The average
  differences in behavior and physiology between males of females of these species
  are discussed in the light of evolution, ecology and culture.


  He does not agree with the view that there are no significant differences between
  the sexes in humans. He rejects the blank slate view of human nature. But neither
  does he agree with the idea that such differences automatically can tell us what
  is socially, ethically or politically right or wrong. He is very clear about the
  fundamental impact that culture has on sex and gender, and describes instances of
  this from chimpanzees and bonobos.


  In general, I find his account convincing and well argued. There are of course the
  occasional instancse where he gets things wrong, or holds a view with, what I consider,
  insufficient arguments. But I am still impressed with how he manages to walk through
  this minefield of controversy without serious missteps.'
date: '2024-06-12'
edition:
  published: '2022'
  publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
goodreads: '58085267'
html: '<p>This turned out to be Frans de Waal''s last book; he died in March 2024.
  In it, he compares the sexual differences in behavior of humans and primates, where
  the focus is on the bonobos and the chimpanzees, the two species that are genetically
  most close to humans. He navigates the controversial subject very well. The average
  differences in behavior and physiology between males of females of these species
  are discussed in the light of evolution, ecology and culture.</p>

  <p>He does not agree with the view that there are no significant differences between
  the sexes in humans. He rejects the blank slate view of human nature. But neither
  does he agree with the idea that such differences automatically can tell us what
  is socially, ethically or politically right or wrong. He is very clear about the
  fundamental impact that culture has on sex and gender, and describes instances of
  this from chimpanzees and bonobos.</p>

  <p>In general, I find his account convincing and well argued. There are of course
  the occasional instancse where he gets things wrong, or holds a view with, what
  I consider, insufficient arguments. But I am still impressed with how he manages
  to walk through this minefield of controversy without serious missteps.</p>

  '
isbn: '9781324007104'
language: en
lastmod: '2024-06-12'
path: /library/waal-2022.html
published: '2022'
rating: 4
reference: Waal 2022
reviewed: '2024-06-12'
subjects:
- human-evolution
- science
title: 'Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist'
type: book
year: 2022