The Arrogant Monkey

This book lets you see the full depth and complexity of animals’ inner world and their astonishing abilities. The author shares her personal experience of studying primates in their natural habitat. Once you realize how conditional the line is between humans and other living beings, you’ll discover a path to more eco-friendly interaction with nature.

For a long time, humankind has appointed itself the “measure of all things” and proclaimed that it is the most intelligent, moral, and capable species on Earth. And as a result, it has turned nature into a commodity—a simple resource. It is the belief in human superiority that underlies today’s ecological crisis. Primatologist Kristin Webb, who has devoted years to studying the rich social, emotional, and cognitive lives of our closest living relatives, thoroughly examines the phenomenon of anthropocentrism. She shows that human exceptionalism is a myth built more on human culture than on our biology, more on misconceptions than on scientific evidence, and offers a healthier approach to nature and to ourselves. “The arrogant ape” is only a mask—one that we should consciously discard.