A New York Times bestseller: “A passionate and convincing case for the sophistication of nonhuman minds.” —Alison Gopnik, The AtlanticHailed as a classic, Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? explores the oddities and complexities of animal cognition—in crows, dolphins, parrots, sheep, wasps, bats, chimpanzees, and bonobos—to reveal how smart animals really are, and how we’ve … reveal how smart animals really are, and how we’ve underestimated their abilities for too long. Did you know that octopuses use coconut shells as tools, that elephants classify humans by gender and language, and that there is a young male chimpanzee at Kyoto University whose flash memory puts that of humans to shame? Fascinating, entertaining, and deeply informed, de Waal’s landmark work will convince you to rethink everything you thought you knew about animal—and human—intelligence.
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An animal cognition scientist who writes well and seems even-handed handed in this treatment of controversies. Writes clearly from the perspective of one who is convinced of the cognitive abilities of animals but seems not to get carried away. Non-technical in its language and level of discussion. Light but effective treatment of historical turning points in the field of study. Interesting example.
I must preface my review with the fact that I am biased. As a science educator, I have a strong background in animal behavior and coincidentally attended Emory University where Frans de Waal teaches and researches at the world famous Yerkes National Primate Center. That being said, this is the first work I have read by de Waal and it will not be my last. He has wonderful style of writing that clearly explains the roots of ethology (the study of animal behavior) and its development using exemplary studies from well-known behaviorists to demonstrate the opposing views on cognition among animals.
Familiar with most of the classical studies presented in this book, I was impressed with the objective way de Waal presents his view that animals are not merely trained performers as operant psychologists would have us believe. In assessing cognition, intelligence and the relative sentience of animals (birds, elephants, dolphins, octopuses along with primates) de Waal believes that scientists must consider the environment of each species and what important to their existence. Research must be conducted within the confines of the animals’ frame of reference to obtain data that is unbiased. Through naturalistic observations and experiments that are carefully conceived to reflect the nature of the species being researched, scientists have revealed self-awareness, foresight, empathy, and long-term memory among a range of varying species.
Of course, as with the study of human cognition, there is the conundrum of what constitutes scientific evidence. Often considered a soft science, critics of ethology cite the lack of credible evidence since such studies often do not involve a experimental factor and control nor have adequate sample size.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about evolution and the intellectual behaviors of our fellow animals. I do caution that the reader, especially if not versed in evolutionary theories, be careful not to attribute the need for a trait for increased survival to the development of that trait in subsequent generations. Evolution takes time; it is fueled by survival of the fittest – those organisms with the best adaptations to survive in its environment pass their genes to their offspring. Over a long period of time, those traits with the most adaptive value will eventually become more prominent in a species. My reason for stating this caveat is that in a a few places, de Waal uses the word “need” that could be misinterpreted by the casual reader from the Lamarckian viewpoint (debunked) that need is the substance of evolution.
This book really makes the reader question the term “dumb animal”. Frans De Waal presents a very persuasive argument for considering what intelligence is and how various non human animals possess it. After reading it, I was convinced that many animal and even bird species actually have a mind and are quite capable of using it to achieve their goals. They have a subjective experience of themselves, intentions beyond instinct, and some can even time travel (ie. think in terms of the future). The are conscious beings. This book clearly illustrates that the human mind evolved rather than was a “special” creation unique to our species. Once the reader comes to terms with this idea and how human-centric we are, one has to think more ethically regarding our treatment of these other intelligent creatures that share the planet.
Scholarly with fascinating anecdotes scattered throughout. A thorough history and the philosophy of people’s understanding of animal cognion. Makes it obvious that humans have a lot to learn and should stop selling animal intelligence short. The historical parts of the book can be a little tiring for the casual reader, but students of animal behavior should put this book on their must read list.
I found it very interesting as I am very interested in animal intelligence. The authors explanation of how science has evolved to judge this subject is fascinating but overlong. I enjoyed the recounting of experiments with the animals and loved his conclusions. He is a man after my own concerns on the subject but he has far more science to back it up than I do.
This book is thought-provoking and certainly had an impact on the way I see all animals. The minutia about research became a bit tedious.
The answer to the titular question is a resounding NO. This book will bring to you without uncertainty that our species narcissistic view of the world, and our place in it, is deluded. It makes me love the animals I have, and do, love even more. It also makes me ashamed I had to be told of the sentience of species outside our own. Shame on us all.
The most sensible book about animal intelligence I’ve ever read. The short summary: every creature, even us, has its own talents and limits. The intelligence of another species must be thought about in terms of its own lifestyle, not of ours.
Good book that changes the way you look at animals forever. Highly recommend it.
looks at many ways of understanding animal intelligence, with some surprises.
Some interesting perspective on how animals act and how we interpret why. Wanted more animal stories as examples of their reactions
little ‘old news’, boring
This well-developed and well-written non-fiction book is very enlightening and informative. It is well documented by an experienced writer and researcher.
Just confirmed what I have allways known about animals
Well written book that anyone can understand
This book is non-fiction. It puts into perspective how scientists can fall prey to their own prejudices when designing or interpreting studies. There are fascinating stories that demonstrate the intelligence of many different animals. It’s a good read–very much written for the layperson but with good support provided for the author’s thesis.
Excellent! A happy book to read.