--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We need to separate the process of…" description: "\"We need to separate the process of evolution - which is, indeed, a self-serving process - and the actual motivations of animals.\" — Frans de Waal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/frans-de-waal-2997_actual_we-need-to-separate-the-process-of-evolu_1245345.png" --- # We need to separate the process of evolution - which is… ![“We need to separate the process of evolution - which is, indeed, a self-serving process - and the actual motivations of animals.” quote by Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/frans-de-waal-2997_actual_we-need-to-separate-the-process-of-evolu_1245345.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/frans-de-waal-2997_actual_we-need-to-separate-the-process-of-evolu_1245345.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/frans-de-waal-2997_actual_we-need-to-separate-the-process-of-evolu_1245345.png) > “We need to separate the process of evolution - which is, indeed, a self-serving process - and the actual motivations of animals.” [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Evolutionary processes are self‑serving, but animal motivations may be altruistic or social, not purely self‑interest. **In simple terms:** Evolution is self‑serving; animal motives differ. Key Takeaway Separate evolutionary drive from animal intent. Themes evolution animal behavior ethics Mood curious analytical Type scientific philosophical When to use this quote - conservation - animal training - research ethics Key Concepts self‑interest altruism social cognition Questions to Reflect On - What evidence shows animal altruism? - How do evolutionary pressures shape behavior? A Different Perspective Animal motives are hard to infer; risk of anthropomorphism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actual/) [Actual Motivations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actual-motivations-3903325/) [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Evolution Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution-self-3903324/) [Indeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indeed/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motivations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivations/) [Motivations Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivations-animals-3903323/) [Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Self serving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-serving/) [Separate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separate/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) ## Related quotes > [I can't do anything about how people who are all but completely unaware of my actual motivations and my actual thought process and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/i-can-t-do-anything-about-how-people-who-are-all-but-completely/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [I think human consciousness is a misstep in evolution. 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