Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de Waal Summary

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? challenges human-centric views of intelligence by exploring evidence of complex cognition in animals like chimpanzees, octopuses, and crows. Frans de Waal argues for evolutionary cognition—the idea that each species develops skills tailored to its environment—using examples such as tool use in octopuses and facial recognition in wasps. The book critiques outdated behavioralist methods, advocating for species-specific testing.

This book is ideal for animal behavior enthusiasts, students of biology or psychology, and readers interested in ethics. It appeals to those questioning human uniqueness, as de Waal blends scientific rigor with engaging anecdotes about primates, dolphins, and elephants. Ethical implications for conservation and human-animal relationships make it relevant for advocates of animal rights.

Yes. De Waal’s accessible writing and groundbreaking research—like Ayumu the chimpanzee’s superior memory—make it a compelling read. It reshapes perceptions of intelligence while addressing debates in evolutionary biology. Critics praise its balance of humor, data, and philosophical depth, solidifying its status as a modern classic in animal cognition.

Key ideas include:

• Evolutionary cognition: Intelligence evolves to solve species-specific challenges (e.g., elephants classifying humans by language)
• Bonding & Identification Based Learning (BIOL): Social bonds drive learning, as seen in primate cooperation
• Anthropodenial: Rejecting human-like traits in animals limits scientific understanding

• Ayumu the chimpanzee outperforms humans in memory tests
• Octopuses use coconut shells as tools
• Wasps recognize individual faces, showcasing specialized social intelligence
• Elephants distinguish human genders and languages, demonstrating advanced classification

De Waal critiques behaviorist approaches that reduce learning to rewards/punishments. Instead, he emphasizes evolutionary continuity—the idea that human and animal cognition differ in degree, not kind. For example, he disputes the uniqueness of human cooperation by detailing bonobo conflict resolution.

• “We test animals in ways that are biased toward human skills.”
• “The measure of intelligence is not how much we know, but how we behave.” (Inspired by Darwinian insights)
• Critiques of anthropodenial—the refusal to acknowledge animal emotions or plans

He argues that dismissing animal emotions as anthropomorphic ignores rigorous evidence, such as empathy in primates and grief in elephants. By focusing on observable, evolutionarily consistent behaviors, he differentiates scientific inference from sentimental projection.

De Waal (1948–2024) was a primatologist and Emory University professor renowned for studies on chimpanzee politics, bonobo cooperation, and capuchin fairness. His 16 books, including Chimpanzee Politics and Mama’s Last Hug, redefined perceptions of animal social behavior.

Unlike Steven Pinker’s human-centric focus, de Waal emphasizes evolutionary continuity. It expands on Donald Griffin’s foundational Animal Minds by incorporating decades of field research, particularly on primates. The tone is more narrative-driven than textbooks, bridging academia and public discourse.

Understanding animal intelligence has implications for:

• Conservation: Ethical treatment of tool-using octopuses or socially complex elephants
• AI development: Learning from species-specific problem-solving
• Education: Tailoring teaching to innate cognitive strengths

As debates about AI consciousness and animal rights intensify, de Waal’s work underscores the urgency of redefining intelligence. Its insights into animal empathy and cooperation remain critical for addressing biodiversity loss and ethical AI design.