Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

78 | Daniel Dennett on Minds, Patterns, and the Scientific Image

96 snips
Jan 6, 2020
Daniel Dennett, a renowned philosopher and expert on consciousness, delves into a fascinating blend of topics. He discusses the connection between human perception and the complexities of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the challenges AI faces in common sense reasoning. The conversation also explores the nature of consciousness as a spectrum, the importance of understanding animal minds, and the implications of free will in human society. Dennett's accessible insights challenge traditional views, making philosophy relatable and thought-provoking.
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INSIGHT

The Task of Philosophy

  • Philosophy's goal is to reconcile everyday experiences with scientific findings, bridging the gap between what we perceive and what science reveals.
  • This involves navigating between the "manifest image" (everyday world) and the "scientific image" (scientific world).
INSIGHT

Reality of Concepts

  • Concepts like consciousness and free will are real but differ from common perceptions.
  • Dennett emphasizes that these concepts are not what we typically think they are.
INSIGHT

Real Patterns

  • Real patterns allow concise summaries and generalizations, enabling predictions about phenomena.
  • The ability to profit by betting on a pattern signifies its reality and predictive power.
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