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RIP Daniel Dennett
- Thread starter gmax137
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SUMMARY
Daniel Clement Dennett III, an influential American philosopher and cognitive scientist, passed away on April 19, 2024. His work primarily focused on the philosophy of mind, science, and biology, with significant contributions to evolutionary biology and cognitive science. Dennett's ability to connect philosophical concepts with scientific inquiry transformed perceptions of philosophy, making it a valuable discipline rather than an abstract pursuit. His notable works include "The Mind's I" and "Brainstorms," which have inspired many in the fields of consciousness and free will.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of cognitive science principles
- Familiarity with the philosophy of mind
- Knowledge of evolutionary biology concepts
- Awareness of the debates surrounding free will
- Explore Dennett's book "Consciousness Explained" for insights on consciousness
- Research the implications of Dennett's philosophy on cognitive science
- Investigate the critiques of Dennett's views on free will
- Study the relationship between philosophy and science in Dennett's works
Philosophy enthusiasts, cognitive scientists, students of evolutionary biology, and anyone interested in the intersection of philosophy and science will benefit from this discussion.
- #2
Arjan82
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Yeah, he was my favorite philosopher. In fact, before I discovered him I thought philosophy was this weird thing where you asked silly questions like what the essence of existence is, what is the meaning of life or this Aristoteles stuff which was all a bit far-fetched to me. Nice to think about but otherwise useless. Dennett was the first to make me see the use of philosophy and how it actually can connect with science and add to it.
The lucid and exact way that Dennett could explain things was so inspiring to me. Sad to see him go
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The lucid and exact way that Dennett could explain things was so inspiring to me. Sad to see him go
.- #3
PeterDonis
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I have been a fan of Dennett ever since I read The Mind's I in the early 1980s (which I read because I had like Godel, Escher, Bach and wanted to read more Hofstadter), and then Brainstorms. I have since read every book he has published on consciousness and free will. He will be sorely missed.
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pines-demon
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Very missed, very insightful in relation to consciousness, philosophy and the role of science. However, I was not a fan of his take on free will.
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