16th
Can you call it “philanthropy” when monkeys do it?
Apparently, monkeys give. Instead of money, they give treats. Does that count as philanthropy?
Technically? Going off the linguistic deep end, nope. “Philo” = Love. “Anthro” = Man. “Philanthropy” = Love of man. So, monkey giving to monkey? Not philanthropy. But monkey to human? Hm. Maybe. If they were to give me, say, half of that banana? Definitely. Yes, apparently, I can be bribed by a half a banana.
All kidding aside, what is truly remarkable is that the monkeys give just to give. For the joy of giving, really. They aren’t punished if they don’t give and they get the same thing (the treat) whether they give or not. Next, the scientists will try to find out if the monkeys share “because they can eat together or if the monkeys simply like to see the other monkey enjoying food.”
Basically, monkeys care.
Via the Donor Power Blog.
