If you want to design a successful human society you need to know what kind of animal we are. Are we a social animal or a selfish animal? Do we respond better when we're solitary or living in a group?

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

When someone brutally kills someone else, we call him "animalistic." But we consider ourselves "human" when we give to the poor.

As far as the environment is concerned, I am becoming pessimistic because I do not see anybody stepping up and taking the long view approach. It seems like we're stuck in a tragedy of the commons where everyone is trying to contribute as little as possible to get out of this situation.

When we are bad, we are worse than any primate that I know. And when we are good, we are actually better and more altruistic than any primate that I know.

Male chimpanzees have an extraordinarily strong drive for dominance. They're constantly jockeying for position.

Humanity is actually much more cooperative and empathic than [it's] given credit for.