For many years, de Waal has observed chimpanzees comforting their distressed neighbors and bonobos sharing their food. Now, he delivers intriguing new evidence for the seeds of moral behavior in primate societies, further establishing the case for the biological roots of human justice. Combining vivid stories from the animal kingdom with careful philosophical analysis, de Waal seeks a bottom-up explanation of morality, emphasizing our connection with animals. Exploring for the first time the implications of his work for our understanding of modern religion, he acknowledges that the role of religious moral imperatives is a "recent" addition that appeared only as a supplement to our natural instincts for cooperation and empathy. However, unlike the dogmatic new-atheist of his book's title, de Waal does not scorn religion per se. Instead, he draws from the long tradition of humanism represented by the painter Hieronymus Bosch and asks conscientious readers to consider these issues from a positive perspective: What role, if any, does religion play in a well-functioning society today? And where can believers and non-believers find inspiration to live a good life? Rich with cultural references and primate behavioral anecdotes, the book "The Bonobo and the Atheist" builds a unique argument based on evolutionary theory and the philosophy of ethics. Ever the pioneering thinker, de Waal offers an encouraging and inclusive new perspective on human nature and our endeavor to find purpose in our lives.