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Birth
Daniel Dennett was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to an English teacher and an OSS (Office of Strategic Services) agent. Daniel spent a portion of his childhood in Lebanon, where his father worked undercover as a cultural attache. His father died in a plane crash in 1947. Subsequently, his mother relocated the family back to Boston. Dennett, Charlotte. The Crash of Flight 3804: A Lost Spy, a Daughter’s Quest, and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game For Oil. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2020. -
Education
Dennett's education began at the Phillip Exeter Academy. The Exeter Academy is a preparatory school located in New England. Once he finished his studies there, he began his education at Wesleyan University. After one year of studies, he transferred to Harvard University and earned his bachelor of arts in philosophy in 1963. In 1965, Dennett earned his Doctor in Philosophy from Oxford University. -
Consciousness Explained published
Consciousness Explained was published in 1991. Consciousness Explained is one of Dennett's definitive works. In his book, he outlines his theory on consciousness. Defying the common notion that consciousness takes place in one place. The book had good reviews, with multiple critics touting Dennett's work as one of the best books of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Nj_rEqkyQ Dennett, Daniel Clement, and Paul Weiner. Consciousness Explained. Little, Brown and Company, 2007. -
Breaking the Spell published
In, "Breaking the Spell" Dennett analyzes and reviews religion. He does not necessarily say that religion is incompatible with science. On the contrary, Dennett calls for a paradigm shift. In part one of his book, Dennett asserts that Religion has been shielded from scientific review. He calls for scientific analysis of religion. In part two and three, Dennett essentially questions how that analysis and thought should take place. Dennett, Daniel Clement. Breaking the Spell. Allen Lane, 2006. -
From Bacteria to Bach and Back published
"From Bacteria to Bach and Back" is one of Dennett's most popular works. In it, Dennett attempts to explain how conciousness adapts through evolution. Dennett utilizes concepts drawn from Descartes as well as Darwin. He spends the whole book explaining how human consciousness and communication has adapted as we evolved and adapted. Dennett, D. C. From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds. W W Norton & Company, 2018. -
I've Been Thinking published
"I've Been Thinking" is Dennett's most recent book. In this offering, Dennett contrasts his philosophical nemesis, Descartes, challenging the notion that humans are simply "thinking things." Dennett asserts that, on the contrary, we are far more than simply thinking things. In addition to his contrasts with other philosophical theories, Dennett overviews his early life and provides stories of his childhood and his experiences as a young man. Dennett, D. C. I’ve Been Thinking. Allen Lane, 2023.