Minds of Animals: Reflections on the Human – non-Human Continuum

A two-day international workshop at the University of Bern including a public panel discussion at the Natural History Museum and a Keynote Address by Frans de Waal explores the theme of comparative cognition with specific emphasis on the nature and evolution of cognition in human and non-human animals. Specific questions which will be addressed during the workshop include:

• To what degree do traits commonly attributed to humans (e.g., co-operation, empathy) have their roots in the social behaviour of primates and other animals?
• For which areas of human cognition can we assume that basic cognitive abilities that are shared with other species are relevant?
• What are the limits of explaining complex human behaviour with basic components such as neurological mechanisms?
• Are apes sufficiently similar to humans such that an anthropomorphic view of their behaviour is justified?