Dennett, Daniel

Philosopher American Born 1942 (age 84)

Developed intentional stance and consciousness as illusion.

410 quotes

"Justice must be blind to power and wealth."
Justice
"Patience is a virtue that pays dividends."
Patience
"Kindness costs nothing but is worth everything."
Kindness
"Strength is revealed in times of adversity."
Strength
"Fear teaches us what we value."
Fear
"Power without wisdom is dangerous."
Power
"Money is a tool, not a goal."
Money
"Health is the foundation of happiness."
Health
"Adventure is calling; will you answer?"
Adventure
"Imagination is the beginning of creation."
Imagination
"Technology is a tool; we decide how to use it."
Technology
"History teaches us that human nature is complex."
History
"Philosophy is the art of asking the right questions."
Philosophy
"Literature allows us to live many lives."
Literature
"Politics is everyone's responsibility."
Politics
"War proves that humans have not yet learned to live together."
War
"Motivation is found in meaning."
Motivation
"Inspiration strikes those who are prepared to receive it."
Inspiration
"Relationships are mirrors that show us who we are."
Relationships
"Solitude can be the greatest gift you give yourself."
Solitude
"The idea that science is just another belief system is perhaps the most pernicious bit of postmodern thought."
Science
"We are not going to solve the problem of consciousness by pretending it doesn't exist or by hiding behind dualism."
Philosophy
"Free will is not an illusion; it's a normal part of the natural world."
Freedom
"The brain is the most complex object in the known universe, and we're only beginning to understand it."
Knowledge
"Evolution is the greatest idea anyone has ever had, bar none."
Science
"Consciousness is not some mysterious substance; it's a product of information processing in the brain."
Truth
"The purpose of the brain is to control behavior. All the rest is just window dressing."
Philosophy
"We should be teaching science not as a collection of facts, but as a way of thinking."
Education
"Culture is not supernatural; it's a natural phenomenon that evolves over time."
Creativity
"The meme is a unit of cultural information that replicates and evolves like genes."
Philosophy