A Discussion on David Chalmers' Lecture on Consciousness and a Friendly Sparring Relationship

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The host recounts a TED 2014 lecture on the hard problem of consciousness given by David Chalmers, and a subsequent encounter with Dan Dennett who praises the lecture but disagrees with Chalmers' conclusions. They explore their long-standing sparring relationship and Dennett's familiarity with Chalmers' early career.

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Daniel Dennett, preeminent philosopher and cognitive scientist, has spent his career considering the thorniest, most fundamental mysteries of the mind. Do we have free will? What is consciousness and how did it come about? What distinguishes human minds from the minds of animals? Dennett’s answers have profoundly shaped our age of philosophical thought. In this episode, he reflects on his amazing career and lifelong scientific fascinations, as well as the value of life beyond the university, one enriched by sculpture, music, farming, and family.

Daniel C. Dennett is Professor Emeritus at Tufts University and the author of numerous books, including Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking, Breaking the Spell, Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, and Consciousness Explained.