Daniel Dennett

Daniel dennett Oct2008

File:Solidarity message to ex-Muslims - Daniel Dennett.webm Daniel Clement Dennett III (born March 28, 1942) is an American philosopher, writer, and cognitive scientist whose research centers on the philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and philosophy of biology, particularly as those fields relate to evolutionary biology and cognitive science.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Dennett was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Lebanon, where his father was a covert operative during World War II. Dennett began his higher education at Harvard University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1963. He then went on to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, where he studied under the philosopher Gilbert Ryle and was awarded a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1965.

Career

After completing his education, Dennett taught at the University of California, Irvine, before moving to Tufts University in 1971, where he is currently the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy and Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies. Dennett's work is widely cited in various fields related to the human mind, making him one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Dennett is best known for his critiques of dualism, the idea that the mind and body are fundamentally different in kind; and for his argument against the qualia, which are the supposed subjective, ineffable experiences that many believe define consciousness. He is a firm advocate of the materialistic perspective on consciousness, proposing that consciousness can be fully explained by the physical processes of the brain.

Major Works

Among Dennett's most influential works are:

• Consciousness Explained (1991) - In this book, Dennett argues against the traditional philosophical views of consciousness and proposes his own model, which he calls the "Multiple Drafts Model" of consciousness.
• Darwin's Dangerous Idea (1995) - Dennett explores the implications of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, arguing that it is a "universal acid" that leaves much of our traditional worldviews in disarray.
• The Intentional Stance (1987) - This book introduces the concept of the "intentional stance," a methodological approach to understanding the behavior of entities by treating them as if they had beliefs and desires.

Philosophical Views

Dennett's philosophical views are broadly aligned with materialism and empiricism, emphasizing the importance of evidence from the natural sciences in understanding the mind. He is a vocal critic of intelligent design and has engaged in public debates defending the theory of evolution. Dennett is also known for his advocacy of atheism and secularism, arguing that the understanding of consciousness and morality does not require the existence of a deity.

Legacy and Influence

Dennett's contributions to philosophy and cognitive science have been widely recognized. He has been awarded several honorary degrees and has been invited to lecture at numerous universities and conferences around the world. His ability to communicate complex ideas to a general audience has made him a prominent public intellectual.

Selected Bibliography

• Brainstorms: Philosophical Essays on Mind and Psychology (1978)
• Elbow Room: The Varieties of Free Will Worth Wanting (1984)
• Freedom Evolves (2003)
• From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds (2017)

See Also

• Philosophy of mind
• Cognitive science
• Evolutionary biology
• Materialism