Dialectical Primatologist

Nicholas Malone is a senior lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Dr Malone is an anthropologist with a broad interest in the social and ecological lives of primates, especially those of apes and humans. Specifically, he seeks to understand how the observed patterns of variability within and between taxa are simultaneously shaped by, and act as shaping factors of, evolutionary processes. Additionally, he strives to contribute to primate conservation through a commitment to engaging with local and extra-local efforts. Finally, he wishes to situate the study of primates within the broader contexts of anthropology, history and research ethics. His writing is informed by research experiences in Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• 1. Introduction: The Dialectical Primatologist; 2. From the Miocene to the Margins: Overview of the Superfamily Hominoidea; 3. Emergence: Theorising Ape Sociality; 4. Waves of Change: Insights from Java, Indonesia; 5. Betwixt and Between: Apes in (and on) the Verge; 6. Conclusion: The Future of Life in the Hominoid Niche; 7. Epilogue

Drawing from his primate socioecological and ethnographic field research in Java, Indonesia, Nicholas Malone advocates for a dialectical approach to the study of ape sociality. This approach recognizes contingency, the inseparability of the natural and the social, and the important role that context plays in the questions we ask about our closest living relatives, the data we collect, and the interpretations we make. Importantly, the Dialectical Primatologist is not merely a theoretical endeavor; Malone acknowledges that "the living apes are in serious trouble" and smartly illustrates how knowledge gained using a dialectical approach can inform ape conservation and management efforts. For example, documenting the social variability and ecological flexibility of the gibbons and other apes, particularly in the face of expanding anthropogenic pressures, has important implications for the design of reintroduction and rehabilitation protocols and efforts to facilitate human-ape coexistence moving forward. Scholars and advanced students from an array of fields including anthropology, philosophy, science studies, bioethics, and human-animal studies will find great interest in this thought-provoking book. - Dr. Erin P. Riley, San Diego State University