Franz de Waal

Frans de Waal is a renowned Dutch-American primatologist and ethologist who studies the behavior of primates, especially monkeys and apes. He explores how their social lives, emotions, and intelligence can mirror human traits, such as cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution. His work challenges the idea that humans are uniquely aggressive or competitive, highlighting the importance of social bonds and empathy in both primates and people. Through experiments and observations, de Waal has contributed to understanding the roots of social behavior, advocating for the idea that kindness and cooperation are natural and vital aspects of evolution.