This workshop brings together Japanese primatology and anthropology of life, by presenting and discussing common points of scientific and philosophical interest in the study of chimpanzees, humans’ closest living relatives. What are the scientific and personal conceptions of chimpanzees’ lives held by primatologists? Conversely, are humans capable of accurately making inferences on how chimpanzees might perceive the lives of other beings around them?

Argument

This workshop brings together Japanese primatology and anthropology of life, by presenting and discussing common points of scientific and philosophical interest in the study of chimpanzees, humans’ closest living relatives. What are the scientific and personal conceptions of chimpanzees’ lives held by primatologists? Conversely, are humans capable of accurately making inferences on how chimpanzees might perceive the lives of other beings around them? From senescence, grieving and welfare to group management and human-chimpanzee face-to-face care, the workshop investigates life-related topics oriented by three axes of analysis: (a) scientific research (b) personal experiences (c) paths to chimpanzees’ point of view. Consonant with these challenges, Japanese primatology provides an idiosyncratic view on human-chimpanzee interaction, reflected in its scientific practices and in its traditional blurring of the boundaries between humans and other primates. The first block consists of lectures and discussions with researchers, whereas the last block provides short movie clips of chimpanzee behavior to be debated with the audience.

Program

13:45 – 14:00 Welcome and opening remarks By Gabriela B. M. Daly (LAS/ENS)

• 14:00 – 14:45 Prof. Naruki Morimura (Kyoto University), Studying chimpanzees in captivity and in the wild: Perspectives on face-to-face care, social management and research

14:45 – 15:00 Discussion by Sabrina Krief (MNHN) and Questions

• 15:00  – 15:45 Prof. Michiko Fujisawa (Kyoto University), Aging processes in humans and chimpanzees. Difficulties and prospects of a comparative approach

15:45 – 16:00 Discussion by Sabrina Krief (MNHN) and Questions

16:00 – 16:30 Break

• 16:30  –  17:15 Screening of short movie clips of chimpanzee behavior with debate By Gabriela Daly, Sabrina Krief and Naruki Morimura

17:15 – 18:00 Discussion and closing remarks Dominique Lestel (ENS) and Perig Pitrou (LAS/CNRS)

Organizers

• Gabriela B. M. Daly (LAS/ENS) &
• Dominique Lestel (ENS)

Collège de France, 11, place Marcelin-Berthelot, salle 4

Information: gabrieladaly@yahoo.dk

Registration: http://goo.gl/forms/WYLRqsuqY2rZqiFi1