There are very obvious similarities between primates and humans. However we can use the study of non-human primates to gain a better understanding of our own evolution by looking at the similarities and differences between us and them. We no longer have a need to climb easily through the trees, so we have lost our tail. Instead we walk fully upright and our bodies have adapted to such posture. These differences show us how we have adapted to our new ways of life while leaving less useful characteristics in the past as we out grew them. Likewise, we can observe similarities between us and gain a better understand of what has remained useful and need for both our ways of life. Our opposable thumbs are a prime example as both human and non-human primates have and use this characteristic. This is because it is very useful for gripping objects like tree branches for climbing and a steering wheel for driving. I believe by studying which characteristics are maintained between non-human and human primates, as well as those that are not kept, gives insight into what we have adapted to and how our way of life has differed from non-human primates.

For instance, I thought the article on war was very interesting and surprising. When I think of chimps I always think of the loving and playful sides of them, hanging in big groups and instilling a feeling of community. This article was very interesting because it describes tactics of war that chimps and other monkeys use on each other. Like a group of older males from another group attacking a single younger male monkey and things in that sense, however these aren’t exactly random attacks of violence.

“But there’s another way to interpret what chimpanzee behavior says about our own brutal ways. Instead of humans and chimps being natural born killers, violence in both species may be more a matter of circumstance. “

Erin Wayman

None of these chimpanzees we’re attacking out of pure menace but rather because they had recently all belonged to the same group. When the group split in two, one community took over the northern half of the range and the other the southern half. Now the males are simply doing this warfare to expand their territory and to find more females to mate with. Which in a sense is very similar to what we as humans do with our warfare. I think we can take this situation and apply it fully to our biology and culture because we too are fighting wars to expand our territory and, in a sense, fine more mates along the way. I think it’s really interesting to have these very similar attributes in monkeys and humans and even though we have greatly evolved from where chimps are intertwined in our basic instincts and behaviors.

“Today, human biology, ecology, and culture interact in ways that allow humans to be the most violent, despicable beings on Earth—as well as the planet’s most compassionate, cooperative creatures.”

Erin wayman