This month we discuss Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved by Frans de Waal, a professor of psychology at Emory University and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Center in Atlanta.

In Part I of the book, de Waal uses knowledge gained through his research on primate behavior to argue that moral behavior is not uniquely human and that our moral sense has evolved incorporating the moral behavior of our animal ancestors. Part II contains the responses of other writers to de Waal's ideas, some in support and some in disagreement. These essays are written by philosophers Peter Singer, Christine M. Korsgaard, and Philip Kitcher and science writer Robert Wright. In Part III, de Waal addresses the comments put forward by the other writers.

The meeting will be held at a private home in east-central Denver, near the intersection of Colorado Blvd. and Alameda Ave. The address will be emailed several days prior to the event to those who have RSVP'd Yes.

Here is our November book in case you want to plan ahead:

November 15: The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power by Jeff Sharlet