Frans de Waal, a renowned primatologist and animal behaviorist, is the keynote speaker in the 10th annual Emerson-Weir Symposium held Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Te Ata Memorial Auditorium. His lecture is open and free to students and the public.

De Waal will hold a class that is open to all students in the Davis Amphitheater at 1:30 p.m. He and Dr. Simpson, associate professor of philosophy and religious studies, will discuss the development of morality and the need for religion in humanity.

De Waal is most well-known for his work with chimpanzees and gorillas. His research primarily focuses on animal behavior and the cognitive abilities they possess.

De Waal believes that the cognitive abilities of animals is underestimated, primarily in primates, and might match, or even surpass, humanity’s. De Waal connects the behavioral traits of humans to primates and researches the similarities in mannerisms and emotions, such as empathy.

De Waal has released multiple books focusing on primate interaction and the social behaviors they possess. His books will be available in the USAO Bookstore on the day of the Emerson-Weir symposium. The bookstore will also have a booth in the lobby of Te Ata Memorial Auditorium before the address.

De Waal has also been a speaker for the nationally known TED talks where he discusses primate behavior. He has also been voted into TIME magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in 2007 and is also among the 47 people nominated as Great Minds in Science by Discover in 2011.