Why people recommend it
Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de Waal is an engaging scientific exploration that challenges human arrogance by examining the diverse, sophisticated forms of cognition and emotion present throughout the animal kingdom. Parl Seoane introduced the book on The Book Review as a standout editor's choice, while Jordan Peterson recommended it on his podcast alongside the author's other works, praising its insights into animal behavior and evolutionary psychology. Paul Rosolie also discussed the book on the Lex Fridman Podcast, highlighting how de Waal provides compelling controlled studies that demonstrate how human researchers frequently fail to recognize non-human intelligence because they remain trapped within an insufferably narrow perspective. John Williams similarly touched on the book during discussions of animal intelligence on The Book Review, jokingly concluding that human answers often fall short. Across these varied conversations, contributors underscored the importance of rethinking cognitive boundaries and appreciating the rich mental lives of other species.
Who recommended it
- Jordan B. Peterson Recommended
- Paul Rosolie Discussed
- John Williams Discussed
- Parul Sehgal Recommended
Jordan B. Peterson — 3 mentions
“He wrote mama's last hug as I mentioned before animal emotions what they tell us about ourselves”
“are we smart enough to know how smart animals are which is another great book”
“you wrote a book whose title i don't remember precisely but it's something like are we smart enough to know how smart animals are”
Paul Rosolie — 2 mentions
“You go back to that Frans de Waal book, "Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?"”
“You go back to that Frans de Waal book, 'Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?', there's so many incredible examples of controlled studies where the researchers didn't understand how to shed this insurmountably human perspective and recognize that there's other types of intelligence, whether that's in elephants or cats.”
John Williams — 1 mention
“there is this book that came out a few years ago by the animal writer frons wall animal writer no pun intended called are we smart enough to know how smart animals are and I guess I kind of feel like the answer is no”
Parul Sehgal — 1 mention
“one of them is are we smart enough to know how smart animals are by France dwall”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“he is the author of Are We smart enough to know how smart animals are a recent bestseller and his new book is called Mama's Last Hug”
“the Dutch primatologist France dewal who he spoke a little bit last week has his book are we smart enough to know how smart animals are”