Frans B. M. de Waal is a Dutch-born ethologist/biologist known for his work on the social intelligence of primates.
De Waal's first book, Chimpanzee Politics (1982) compared the schmoozing and scheming of chimpanzees involved in power struggles with that of human politicians. Ever since, de Waal has drawn parallels between primate and human behavior, from peacemaking and morality to culture. His scientific work has been published in hundreds of technical articles in journals such as Science, Nature, Scientific American, and outlets specialized in animal behavior. His popular books - translated into fifteen languages - have made him one of the world's most visible primatologists. His latest books are Our Inner Ape (2005, Riverhead) and Primates & Philosophers (2006, Princeton).
Frans De Waal is C. H. Candler Professor in the Psychology Department of Emory University and Director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Center, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Time magazine selected De Waal in 2007 as one of the World's 100 Most Influential People today. He has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (US), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences.
Frans De Waal will be introduced by Dr. Robert Sapolsky.