February 2005

Image of 'The Ape and the Sushi Master' by Frans de Waal

February's Book of the Month is "The Ape and the Sushi Master" by Frans de Waal. De Waal is a leading expert on primate behavior and the C. H. Candler Professor of Primate Behavior at Emory University. This book explores the notion of culture in nature (that's right, animals have culture too..) and how our perception of culture defines what we see in nature.

Typically in these synopses and reviews, I try to avoid writing about the prologues, as many people seem to skim over them to get to the good stuff anyway (sometimes I do that myself). But in this instance, it would be a bad idea, because in the prologue to this book, de Waal not only outlines his intentions with the book, but provides background information and definitions for the things he plans to discuss. This is very important to the overall goal of this book, so if you choose to read this book, make sure to read the prologue.

The Whole Animal: Childhood Talismans and Excessive Fear of Anthropomorphism

This chapter addresses anthropomorphizing, the act of giving human characteristics and traits to nonhuman things (or critters). Most people do it, and it's rather common. Now, some people would say that it's a bad thing, but de Waal is suggesting that there might be a reason for it: perhaps we project ourselves onto things (especially other animals) because we see ourselves in them. This could also mean that we do this because we have a shared evolutionary past.

The Fate of Gurus: When Silverbacks Become Stumbling Blocks

This chapter seems to be more of a position against the status quo. In science, new, fresh ideas can be quenched out and extinguished like a flame if they don't happen to be accepted by the mainstream leaders within a given field. This is especially the case in western tradition. The message here is that sometimes a little bit of challenge to the establishment is okay.

Bonobos and Fig Leaves: Primate Hippies in a Puritan Landscape

This chapter explores the bonobo (Pan paniscus), an ape that was relatively unknown until recently. It has also been known as the pygmy chimpanzee, and most people recognize them because we (Americans at least) tend to think of them as sexually promiscuous, and provocative. De Waal discusses Americas preoccupation with sex, and how we use it when we consider other living things.

Animal Art: Would You Hang a Congo on the Wall?

One of the things that is commonly used as something to separate humans from other animals is art. In this chapter, de Waal discusses animals who have artistic ability. This goes beyond an elephant dipping a brush in paint and rubbing it on paper, but is something that can be found out in nature as well. One example de Waal uses is the male bowerbird, which create elaborate nests to attract females. But, is this really art?

Predicting Mount Fuji: and a Visit to Koshima, Where the Monkeys Salt Their Potatoes

This chapter discusses the topic of passing on culture from generation to generation. Since he has already established his use for culture in the context of this book, de Waal explores just how it can be seen in the animal world. He uses many different experiences in this chapter, but one of the ones that stands out is based on studies done on macaque monkeys as studied by Japanese primatologists. A group of them living on an island have passed on a learned behavior of washing potatoes (which are not native to the island) to get the dirt off and somewhat flavor them, and have passed this behavior to other younger members of their troupe. This behavior has also been spreading to other groups of monkeys throughout the island, as members from one troupe drift into other camps.

The Last Rubicon: Can Other Animals Have Culture?

This chapter expands more on what de Waal introduced in the previous chapter. The most important aspect of animals having culture is the ability to copy (or 'ape' as some put it).

The Nutcracker Suite: Reliance on Culture in Nature

Here, de Waal discusses some of the things he regards as culture in animals, and what makes them cultural instead of just instinctual. He starts off by describing the tools used to crack open nuts used by chimpanzees in Africa.

Cultural Naturals: Tea and Tibetan Macaques

One way to acknowledge culture in animals is by examining different populations of the same species. He uses his experience with other macaque species to compare to the Tibetan Macaque (Macaca thibetana). These monkeys can have a wide range of behavior, and some of that definitely does differ from region to region, as de Waal points out.

Apes with Self-Esteem: Abraham Maslow and the Taboo on Power

De Waal returns to the human animal in this chapter, discussing how much of animal nature and culture we actually have in ourselves. Central to the theme of this chapter is how animals (including ourselves) react in positions and pratfalls of power. He notes some interesting analogs (such as Nixon and chimpanzees).

Survival of the Kindest: Of Selfish Genes and Unselfish Dogs

This chapter explores altruism, and its role in nature and culture. De Waal starts off the chapter discussing a pair of dogs that lived side-by-side with three lions in a cage at a zoo in Thailand. He notes that, while at first it seems as if the dogs might be a snack for the lions, they are actually just a part of the family. One of the dogs had raised the tigers as her own, and now they lived as if this were a natural thing. De Waal discusses other examples of altruism in this chapter, as well.

Down With Dualism! Two Millennia of Debate About Human Goodness

So, where do human morals come from? That is the topic of this chapter, although it simply looks at the natural explanation for them. No supernatural explanations to be found here, folks. De Waal discusses, primarily, the work of Edward Westermarck, who was a major player in the development of human behavior studies.

Summary

This book is a kick in the pants; De Waal has a lot to say, and says it eloquently in this easily readable book. If you want to challenge your notion of humanity being separate from nature, this book could very well change your mind about that. If nothing else, de Waal will show you that there is a little bit of animal in all of us. This book comes highly recommended.