Daniel Dennett Quotes

A collection of quotes by Daniel Dennett.

Daniel Dennett is an influential American philosopher and cognitive scientist born on March 28, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts. Known for his groundbreaking work in the philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, and philosophy of science, Dennett has made significant contributions to the fields of consciousness, free will, and evolution.

Dennett earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Harvard University in 1963 and later obtained his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Oxford. He joined the faculty at Tufts University in 1971, where he currently holds the position of Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy and Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies.

Throughout his career, Dennett has explored the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the brain through a naturalistic lens, emphasizing the compatibility of science and philosophy. He developed the concept of "Multiple Drafts Model" as an alternative to Cartesian dualism, proposing that conscious experiences arise from a stream of competing interpretations.

Dennett's influential books include "Consciousness Explained" (1991), "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" (1995), and "Freedom Evolves" (2003), among others. His work often challenges traditional beliefs and defends a naturalistic approach to understanding the mind and its origins.

Recognized for his articulate writing and engaging style, Dennett has become a prominent figure within the philosophy community. His contributions have had a profound impact on the study of consciousness, shaping discussions and debates in both philosophy and cognitive science.

It is not scientism to concede the objectivity and precision

It is not scientism to concede the objectivity and precision of good science, any more than it is history worship to concede that Napoleon did once rule in France and the Holocaust actually happened. Those who fear the facts will forever try to discredit the fact-finders.

Daniel Dennett

Science History Rules

Unpredictability is in general a fine protective feature, wh

Unpredictability is in general a fine protective feature, which should never be squandered but always spent wisely. There is much to be gained from communication if it is craftily doled out - enough truth to keep one's credibility high but enough falsehood to keep one's options open.

Daniel Dennett

Truth

The problem is that no ethical system has ever achieved cons

The problem is that no ethical system has ever achieved consensus. Ethical systems are completely unlike mathematics or science. This is a source of concern.

Daniel Dennett

Science System

The secret of happiness is: Find something more important th

The secret of happiness is: Find something more important than you are and dedicate your life to it.

Daniel Dennett

Happiness

In short, we need to recover the courage we celebrate in our

In short, we need to recover the courage we celebrate in our heroes, and in particular, the courage to tolerate, for the sake of a free society, a level of risk we hardly ever imagined in the past.

Daniel Dennett

Courage

Wherever there is a design that is highly successful in a br

Wherever there is a design that is highly successful in a broad range of similar environments, it is apt to emerge again and again, independently - the phenomenon known in biology as convergent evolution. I call these designs 'good tricks.'

Daniel Dennett

Design

The juvenile sea squirt wanders through the sea searching fo

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!

Daniel Dennett

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