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Daniel C Dennett was born in Boston, Massachusetts soon after the United States entered WW2. His father was a diplomat, and Islamic scholar, his mother was an editor and teacher. He spent time in his very young childhood in Beirut, Lebanon. His father died in a plane crash when he was very young, his mother moved him back to the US shortly after. -
Dennett graduated Harvard University with a BA in Philosophy after transferring from Wesleyan University after only a year. -
Dennett became a doctor of philosophy at the University of Oxford. His dissertation was: The Mind and the Brain. He will state that his early theories from university would remain mostly unchanged throughout his professional career. Dennett, Daniel. “The Mind and the Brain.” Oxford University Research Archive, 1965, ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:26d813f7-6a94-4bb6-b34e-d06743d607e9. -
Here, the newly christened professor took off and began his teaching career. He would actually teach the first philosophy class at this still very new university. -
After teaching at UC Irvine, Dr. Dennett returns to his roots in Massachusetts where he continues his work today. While spending the majority of his time there, he would still make several visits to Universities all across the world, including several talks in the debates that question. All the while, he would continue his work on asking what is consciousness, free will, religion, artificial intelligence in regard to humanity, and evolution of life to the aforementioned. -
A collection of a total of 17 essays, Dr. Dennett continues his crusade in understanding consciousness while speaking to various scientists across various fields. -
Dr. Dennett releases a book during a time perceived as a dangerous time for the lack of separation of church and state. During this time, he would receive much notoriety for his controversial position regarding how religion is should be studied as more as part of science, rather than a spiritual position. Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon. Viking Books, 2006.
From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds. Reprint, W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.
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Dr, Dennett came out with his latest book, further emphasizing that human consciousness is no more different then the theory of gravity. What does he mean by that you ask? He argues for an argument that consciousness is not exactly special, but a natural process that will occur given certain conditions. Thanks to advances in biotechnology in the expanded of life and the history of evolution, he further argues his main points traced back since his Brainstorm book of essay collection. -
A brief, university funded interview is linked below to portray his great involvement in philosophy by this seemingly Darwin looking fellow. He has conducted many media interviews, seminars (and TED talks) throughout his career, but the best part is he is still hard at work! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9dZeJ3owGg