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Birth
Daniel C. Dennet was born on March 28, 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts. -
Received his Bachelors Degree
He received his Bachelors Degree in Philosophy from Harvard University and then went on to perform his undergraduate studies at the University of Oxford. -
Received his Doctorates Degree
Upon completing his studies at the University of Oxford he was awarded his Doctorates in Philosophy. -
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Taught at University of California
After completing his Doctorates Degree he began his teaching career at the University of California. He moved on to teach philosophy at Tufts University. -
Published His First Book
Dr. Dennett published his first book Content and Consciousness based on his thesis concerning the nature of consiousness. -
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What is Consciousness?
During his time at Tuft University Dr, Dennett has devoted his time to pursing the science behind what makes the human mind work. He believes that science can explain every single function that occurs in the human mind from religion to the drive to drink a beer. He is a model scientist for anyone involved in the AI community. -
Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts
Transferred in 1971 to fulfill the duties of University Professor until 1985 at which time he was appointed the position of the Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies. -
"Where Am I?"
In 1978 he published "Where Am I?", which was a short story that involved a plan to separate the brain from the human body. The story is written in such a way as to question the immateriality of the soul. -
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
He was elected into the Academy of Arts and Sciences for his works in the cognitive science field. (Picture is a sample of of the seal used by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences circa 1780. Photo credit goes to https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/266176/) -
Consciousness Explained
In 1991 Dennett released one of his most controversial books. In his book Consciousness Explained he explained how the human conscious existed. In his book he described, much to the disagreement of scientists such as Vladamir Nabokav, the the human conscious is nothing more than a computer program running on the hardware of the brain. He presented evidence that shook the very foundation of what was considered to have made us human. -
Erasmus Prize
In 2012, Dr. Dennett was awarded the Erasmus Prize. This prestigious award is announced once a year "to a person or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to the humanities, the social sciences or the arts, in Europe and beyond." Dr. Dennett was selected for his numerous works that address some of the most fundamental questions of our time. -
Bibliography
Thinking Machine: An Interview with Daniel Dennett. newhumanist.org.uk, https://newhumanist.org.uk/4203/thinking-machine-an-interview-with-daniel-dennett. Accessed 2 June 2020. “Erasmusprijswinnaars.” Praemium Erasmianum Foundation. erasmusprijs.org, https://erasmusprijs.org/en/laureates/daniel-dennett/. Accessed 3 June 2020. -
Bibliography 2
Rothman, Joshua. “Daniel Dennett’s Science of the Soul.” The New Yorker. www.newyorker.com, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/27/daniel-dennetts-science-of-the-soul. Accessed 2 June 2020. “Daniel C. Dennett | American Philosopher.” Encyclopedia Britannica. www.britannica.com, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daniel-C-Dennett. Accessed 2 June 2020.
