Scientist Finds the Beginnings of Morality in Primate Behavior - New York Times - The Diigo Meta page

• 20 Mar 07
  

  ashley
  • Dr. de Waal sees human morality as having grown out of primate sociality, but  with two extra levels of sophistication. People enforce their society’s moral  codes much more rigorously with rewards, punishments and reputation building.  They also apply a degree of judgment and reason, for which there are no  parallels in animals.
  • Other primates also have a sense of reciprocity and fairness. They remember who  did them favors and who did them wrong. Chimps are more likely to share food  with those who have groomed them. Capuchin monkeys show their displeasure if  given a smaller reward than a partner receives for performing the same task,  like a piece of cucumber instead of a grape.

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