#3548
Mentioned in 9 episodes

Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Evolution and the Meanings of Life
Book • 1995
In 'Darwin's Dangerous Idea', Daniel C. Dennett defends and expands upon Darwin's theory of evolution, describing natural selection as a mindless, mechanical, and algorithmic process.

Dennett argues that this 'dangerous idea' challenges traditional views of design and purpose, suggesting that complex life forms can arise without the need for a designer.

He critiques various philosophical and scientific theories, including those of Noam Chomsky, Stephen Jay Gould, and Roger Penrose, and discusses the implications of evolutionary thinking on ethics, morality, and human culture.

The book also introduces concepts such as 'skyhooks' and 'cranes' to explain resistance to Darwinism and the role of memes in cultural evolution.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 9 episodes

Mentioned by Michael Mauboussin as an influential book on evolutionary thinking.
344 snips
#1 Michael Mauboussin: When To Trust Your Gut
Mentioned by Jordan Peterson as a book that explores the relationship between evolution and the meaning of life.
68 snips
438. Aboutness, Secular vs. Religious Ethics, & Plato’s Aviary | Dr. Daniel Dennett
Mentioned by Daniel Dennett as a response to Jerry Fodor's views on natural selection.
25 snips
Adventures in Philosophy with Daniel Dennett and Richard Dawkins
Mentioned by Sean Carroll as one of his most important books.
19 snips
AMA | May 2024
Mentioned by Sam Harris when discussing Dan Dennett's work bridging philosophy and science.
18 snips
#365 — Reality Check
Mentioned by Darren McKee as one of the best books on evolution.
TRC #687: Remembering Daniel Dennett
Mentioned by Neil and Nat in relation to his ideas on consciousness and his responses to Nagel's essay.
56: What Is It Like To Be A Bat by Thomas Nagel
Mentioned by Lee Cronin when discussing Dan Dennett's work on evolution.
#289 - DARPA Scientist on Intelligent Life, The Universe, God & AI | Lee Cronin
Mentioned by Bobby Azarian in the context of thermodynamic terms in biology.
Bobby Azarian: The Beauty of Evolutionary Thinking

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