Daniel Dennett
Full Name and Common Aliases
Daniel Clement Dennett III, commonly known as Daniel Dennett, is a prominent figure in the fields of philosophy and cognitive science. Often referred to simply as Dan Dennett, he is a leading voice in discussions about consciousness, free will, and the philosophy of mind.
Birth and Death Dates
Daniel Dennett was born on March 28, 1942. As of the latest information available, he is still alive and continues to contribute to philosophical discourse.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Daniel Dennett is an American philosopher, writer, and cognitive scientist. He is best known for his work in the philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and philosophy of biology. Dennett has also made significant contributions as an author and public intellectual, engaging with both academic and popular audiences.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Dennett was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Ruth Marjorie (née Leck) and Daniel Clement Dennett Jr. His father was a historian and diplomat, which influenced Dennett's early exposure to diverse cultures and ideas. After his father's untimely death during World War II, Dennett's family moved to Massachusetts, where he spent much of his childhood.
Dennett attended Phillips Exeter Academy and later enrolled at Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 1963. His academic journey continued at the University of Oxford, where he studied under the renowned philosopher Gilbert Ryle and received his Doctor of Philosophy in 1965.
Major Accomplishments
Daniel Dennett's career is marked by numerous accomplishments that have significantly shaped contemporary philosophy and cognitive science. He is a University Professor and Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University, where he has taught since 1971. Dennett is also the co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts.
Throughout his career, Dennett has been recognized with several prestigious awards and honors. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received honorary degrees from multiple institutions worldwide. His work has been influential in bridging the gap between philosophy and empirical science, particularly in the study of consciousness and the mind.
Notable Works or Actions
Daniel Dennett is the author of numerous influential books and articles. Some of his most notable works include "Consciousness Explained" (1991), where he presents a comprehensive theory of consciousness that challenges traditional views. In "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" (1995), Dennett explores the implications of Darwinian theory for understanding the mind and culture.
Another significant contribution is "Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon" (2006), in which Dennett examines religion through the lens of evolutionary biology and cognitive science. His book "From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds" (2017) further delves into the evolution of human consciousness and intelligence.
Impact and Legacy
Daniel Dennett's impact on philosophy and cognitive science is profound. He is known for his ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner, making philosophical concepts understandable to a broader audience. Dennett's work has influenced a generation of philosophers, scientists, and thinkers, encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the mind and consciousness.
His ideas have sparked debates and discussions across various fields, from artificial intelligence to ethics, and have contributed to a deeper understanding of human cognition and behavior. Dennett's legacy is one of challenging established norms and encouraging critical thinking about the nature of consciousness and the human experience.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Daniel Dennett is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive and thought-provoking insights into the nature of consciousness, free will, and the human mind. His ability to articulate complex philosophical ideas in a clear and engaging manner has made his work accessible to both academic and general audiences.
Dennett's contributions to the philosophy of mind and cognitive science have left an indelible mark on these fields, and his ideas continue to inspire and provoke discussion. His willingness to tackle controversial topics, such as the intersection of science and religion, has made him a prominent figure in public intellectual discourse. As a result, Dennett's quotes and ideas are frequently cited in discussions about the mind, consciousness, and the nature of human existence.
Quotes by Daniel Dennett
Daniel Dennett's insights on:
We adore babies because they're so cute. And, of course, we are amused by jokes because they are funny. This is all backwards. It is. And Darwin shows us why.
To put it bluntly but fairly, anyone today who doubts that the variety of life on this planet was produced by a process of evolution is simply ignorant – inexcusably ignorant, in a world where three out of four people have learned to read and write.
We live in a world that is subjectively open. And we are designed by evolution to be “informavores”, epistemically hungry seekers of information, in an endless quest to improve our purchase on the world, the better to make decisions about our subjectively open future.
No matter how smart you are, you’re smarter if you take the easy ways when they are available.
The juvenile sea squirt wanders through the sea searching for a suitable rock or hunk of coral to cling to and make its home for life. For this task, it has a rudimentary nervous system. When it finds its spot and takes root, it doesn’t need its brain anymore so it eats it!
The best thing about saying thank goodness in place of thank God this that here really are lots of ways of repaying your debt of goodness – by setting to create more of it, for the benefit of those to come.
We should get used to the idea that we’ll probably never be able to find – and confirm – a good explanation of the ultimate origin of the universe, though I see no reason to believe that we can’t press much further on this question than we have managed to date.
The only answer to the endless chains of why, why, why is that the alternatives died.
Human freedom is not an illusion; it is an objective phenomenon, distinct from all other biological conditions and found in only one species – us.