I sometimes try to imagine what would have happened if we’d known the bonobo first and the chimpanzee only later—or not at all. The discussion about human evolution might not revolve as much around violence, warfare and male dominance, but rather around sexuality, empathy, caring and cooperation. What a different intellectual landscape we would occupy!

Female bonobos form a strong sisterhood. They rule through female solidarity.

Why not assume that our humanity, including the self-control needed for livable societies, is built into us? Does anyone truly believe that our ancestors lacked social norms before they had religion? Did they never assist others in need, or complain about an unfair deal? Humans must have worried about the functioning of their communities well before the current religions arose, which is only a few thousand years ago.

We are territorial, power-hungry and even more brutal than chimpanzees.

The thinking is that we started evolving language not by speaking but by gesturing.

The role of inequity in society is grossly underestimated. Inequity is not good for your health, basically.

Armies are a purely human invention. Most soldiers who go to war nowadays don't even do it because they're inherently aggressive.