Human nature subject of lecture

The works of Frans de Waal attempt to explain human nature's sexual, violent and altruistic tendencies through a theory that incorporates chimps, bonobos (a type of ape) and a Nietzschean philosophy.\nDe Waal, a Dutch primatologist elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences, will give his lecture 'Our Inner Ape: What Primate Nature Teaches Us About Human Nature,' at 4 p.m. Friday in the Indiana Memorial Union's Whittenberger Auditorium.\nThe lecture concerns his sixth book, "Our Inner Ape" -- deemed "fascinating" by New York Times book critic Temple Grandin. De Waal's most recent study touches on the duality of human morality through primate behavior, specifically bonobos. \nThe book's inside cover claims it "connects humanity's desire for fairness and its morality with primate behavior, offering a view of society that contrasts markedly with the caricature some people have of Darwinian evolution."\nFreshman Tim Gross said he finds this an appealing idea.\n"Certain people may deny any ideas concerning how we evolved from a peaceful and sex-loving species," he said. "But I think this denial is a sign of fear toward what we are biologically inclined to be."\nDe Waal studies human beings' closest relatives, the bonobo and chimpanzee, Elisabeth Lloyd, IU's Tanis chair of history and philosophy of science and professor of biology, said. While this topic might involve evolution, de Waal's work focuses more on comparing animal behaviors.\n"He will talk about humans as innately violent and innately altruistic, both," said Kevin Hunt, professor of anthropology.\nFor decades, many animal behaviorists believed the chimpanzee's violent aggression best characterized human behaviors, Lloyd said. De Waal's study of highly sexual and conciliatory bonobos challenged this belief by theorizing humans shared traits from both chimpanzees and bonobos.\n"He was able to flip the focus 180 degrees," Lloyd said.\nHis works, which use biology to explain the importance of peacemaking in primate and ape societies, have brought the topic into mainstream study. Lloyd said de Waal's book "Chimpanzee Politics" was groundbreaking in its recording the vital role of reconciliation after fighting amongst chimpanzees. For years, she has used de Waal's books in her courses, saying they are of great interest to human studies.\n"I think that a lot of information can be learned by looking to the animal kingdom, especially to species that are very similar to humans," Gross said.\nHunt also uses de Waal's discoveries in his anthropology courses. He said "Chimpanzee Politics" not only discovered unexpectedly complicated political behavior, but also changed the way people thought about ape interactions and alliances.\n"Frans is a phenomenon in the field he studies," he said.\nAs for his lectures, de Waal is a great storyteller, said Lloyd, who has known him for 15 years. After years of hearing him speak, she said she doesn't believe he imposes overly personal interpretations into his work and said his witty observations make for interesting lectures. Hunt said de Waal is an exciting speaker, and said prior knowledge isn't necessary to understand his lectures. \n"I think it should have some pretty broad appeal," he said.