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Consciousness explained

Consciousness explained

PhilosophyPsychology
Pages
528
Published
1991
Language
English

Synopsis

Daniel Dennett challenges our understanding of consciousness in this influential work. He proposes that our subjective experience isn't a unified stream but rather a series of 'multiple drafts' generated by a virtual machine. Dennett explores the evolutionary origins of consciousness and tackles enduring questions about introspection, the self, and the awareness of non-human animals.

Prose complexity
10/10

Vibe

Thought-ProvokingIntellectualComplexReflective

Genres

Philosophy Psychology Science Philosophy & Religion Science & Nature Technology

About the author

D
Daniel C. Dennett

Daniel Clement Dennett III was an American philosopher, writer, and cognitive scientist whose research centered on the philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and philosophy of biology, particularly as those fields relate to evolutionary biology and cognitive science. Dennett was the co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies and the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University in Massachusetts. Dennett was a vocal atheist and secularist, a member of the Secular Coal...

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Consciousness Explained a good starting point for Dennett's work?

    This book serves as a foundational text for understanding Daniel Dennett's philosophical approach to the mind and consciousness. While it is a comprehensive work, it is accessible enough for readers new to his ideas, laying the groundwork for his later explorations.

  • Does Consciousness Explained present a unified theory?

    Dennett develops his 'multiple drafts' model, which proposes that consciousness is not a single, unified stream but rather a collection of parallel processes. He systematically builds this argument by examining various aspects of perception, memory, and self-awareness.