Dennett, Daniel

Philosopher American Born 1942 (age 84)

Developed intentional stance and consciousness as illusion.

410 quotes

"The key to understanding anything is to ask the right questions."
Wisdom
"Intelligence is not a single thing; it's a collection of problem-solving abilities."
Knowledge
"Humor arises from incongruity and our ability to hold multiple perspectives simultaneously."
Humor
"The brain creates a user interface to hide the complexity of reality."
Philosophy
"We are pattern-making creatures living in a universe of patterns."
Imagination
"Skepticism is not cynicism; it's a commitment to evidence and reason."
Truth
"The natural world is far stranger than our intuitions suggest."
Science
"Mistakes are essential to learning and intellectual growth."
Education
"The self is like a corporation: a legal fiction with real consequences."
Philosophy
"Communication is the transfer of information between brains."
Education
"We should teach people to think like scientists, not just memorize scientific facts."
Education
"Creativity emerges from the recombination of existing ideas."
Creativity
"The universe is indifferent to our desires and preferences."
Truth
"Human nature is not fixed; it's shaped by evolution and culture."
Change
"The most profound truths are often the simplest ones."
Wisdom
"Consciousness evolved because it provided a survival advantage."
Science
"We are all engaged in a constant process of storytelling about ourselves."
Literature
"The brain is a prediction machine; perception is controlled hallucination."
Knowledge
"Power comes from understanding how the world actually works."
Power
"Freedom requires understanding the constraints we operate within."
Freedom
"The most important skill is the ability to learn new things."
Education
"Art is a form of communication that bypasses rational analysis."
Art
"Design is the process of solving problems through creative thinking."
Creativity
"The future belongs to those who can adapt and innovate."
Change
"Patience is the virtue of understanding that change takes time."
Patience
"The pursuit of knowledge is the highest human calling."
Knowledge
"We are living through a cognitive revolution as important as any in history."
History
"Technology amplifies both human wisdom and human folly."
Technology
"The strongest predictor of success is the willingness to try and fail repeatedly."
Perseverance
"Gratitude is recognizing that our existence depends on countless others."
Gratitude