James Arthur Lecture: Evolution of the Human Brain

Hear Dr. Brian Hare, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University in North Carolina and a core member of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, explore the minds of our closest relatives—bonobos and chimpanzees, as well as dogs—our closest friend.

Find out how the secret inner lives of these animals helps us understand what makes us unique, and how our minds came to be. Dr. Hare will arrive at the conclusion that it was friendliness that powerfully shaped the bodies and minds of the animals we meet along the way, which leads to the realization that our species also evolved for friendliness.

Comparing our friendly nature to other animals solves the paradox of human kindness and cruelty and makes clearer than ever why institutions are critical to our future success. You will never look at your dog or democracy the same way again.