Well, this is unexpected, and details will be forthcoming. He was 82.
Renowned philosopher Daniel Dennett has died https://t.co/Dbk0VgBZnY pic.twitter.com/q22ug7sYSv
— Ferris Jabr (@ferrisjabr) April 19, 2024
I have lots of stories about Dan, and found him amiable and charitable, though sometimes he could be domineering, especially when I professed a lack of belief in free will. But I once jumped in his lap and asked for a hug after I was attacked by Robert Wright at a conference lunch. Being enfolded by a replica of Santa was the best thing I could think of.
There will be a lot of obituaries, I’m sure, and if you want to read about his life he wrote an autobiography called I’ve Been Thinking. I’ve read it, and you can see that he was far more talented and into far more things than you could ever imagine.
RIP, big guy!
Some photos from 2012 and 2019 (this is Rockwell’s original “Freedom of Speech” painting:
Perplexed at a symposium with Reza Aslan. Dan was NOT happy here!
Going to the Moving Naturalism Forward conference at Stockbridge, MA.
Nice photo of the three of you!
+1
Condolences.
+1
He died on the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s death. That seems fit somehow.
That’s a pleasing mystery. Just coincidence, or…
Thanks for pointing this out.
I think that, had he known in advance, he probably would have greatly enjoyed the coincidence . . . it would suit his puckishness . . . 🙂
I will really miss him.
A true giant of giants! He will be sorely missed.
May he never be forgotten
What a loss. His book “Breaking the Spell” is what finally remove all vestiges of faith or as he put it faith in faith from me. I’m so glad I wrote to him a number of years back to thank him for that book and he so graciously responded.
I read his “I’ve Been Thinking” just a few months ago. An interesting man indeed.
So sad news!!!!
That was my favorite Dennett quote – and I later found out, it was his favorite as well. I’ve internalized a lot from Dennett.
I like that one, too.
A very great man. I’m so sorry to hear he’s gone.
That’s sad. It’s never the ones you kind of wish would go.
I’ll miss Dan’s contributions, and he has made many. I’ve considered him one of the better thinkers of my time. Reading him is always enjoyable, but better yet was watching and listening to him. I’ll be sure to mundify my epigastrium with a suitable elixir in his honor this evening.
Thx for letting us know. A sad loss.
So sad. It was Darwin’s Dangerous Idea (as well as books by Dawkins and Pinker) that got me into evolutionary psychology.
I became a fan of Dennett when I read his book, “Darwin’s Dangerous Idea.” He broke the spell when I subsequently read in his books that he was a free-will compatibilist, which to me suggested a philosophical contortionist.
I saw him most recently on “Robinson’s Podcast,” which featured a discussion including Sean Carroll and Steven Pinker. It struck me that Dennett did seem to be having some difficulty talking or thinking, including long pauses at odd moments as he searched for his next words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh2dgsaNY3A
I must say that he seemed to enjoy life, a varied life, and there’s a lot to be said about that.
I’m so sorry. My condolences to Dan’s loved ones.
…yet Cheeto still lives…
Cheeto still lives… well, nothing remotely similar to the Life and Times of the late great Dr. Daniel C. Dennett III. While Dr. Dennett popularized many technical aspects of countless philosophical concepts including logic and cognition within modern and historical contexts, even a layman (like me) could gain much from his writtings. Meanwhile, the Burnt Orange smudge probably has anywhere from two to three decades more litigating, instigating, and bragging about his “brilliant achievements” in business, military and public health matters etc., etc., until his addled mind can no longer handle being “the greatest human ever, the likes of which the world will never see again”. Dr. Dennett was a robust sailor and had many other outdoor activities he excelled in. Cheeto never remotely “lived” one hundredth the life or experiences of this great Philosopher.
RIP, Mr. Dennett… You’ll be sorely missed. Condolences to his loved ones.
I am really sad. He was a true polymath and a good person. Condolences to Susan.
This huge figure in evolutionary thought will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Ahh, that’s terrible news. And it looks like he was a lefty. I’ve liked every book of his I’ve read. Brilliant man.
And now, I must add, that my brother, Ronald Wright Richardson, died today. Around 9pm PST. He’d been battling the aftermath of undiagnosed melanoma for 2.5 years. Finally succumbed. Uncool. I will remember he died on Dr. Dennett’s day, for whatever reason. He wasn’t much into philosophy, science or evolution. Just a passionate artist who thought the black thing growing on his leg for a couple decades was a “birth mark”. Lawws yes.
Oh I am so sorry for your loss. May HE rest in peace.
A brilliant mind.
A great man. His wisdom will be missed. But his writing will live on and inspire many people still to be born.
“Darwin’s Dangerous Idea” was a brilliant synthesis of human knowledge as well as a devastating takedown of Gould’s fantasies. The lesser known “Inside Jokes” is also a brilliant and insightful read.
The world’s average IQ just dropped 10 points.
RIP Mr. D.
Sorry to hear this news. My first familiarity with Dennett was reading “Breaking The Spell” and I have appreciated his work ever since.
RIP
There’s a line in Melanie’s song The Saddest Thing:
“I’m gonna say, thank you life for having been!”
I’m gonna say, thank you Daniel Dennett for having been!
Wow, I am shocked by this sad news. He was certainly one of the greatest living philosophers. What a loss.
Philosophy of mind was once a passion of mine and is now still a great interest. The first encounter I had with Dan was “The Minds I” with Douglas Hofstadter with that and several other books Dan Dennett fed and enhanced my understanding of such things immensely. A great loss.
That’s really sad. He was my favorite philosopher, a big influence on the way I saw the world, and as far as I can tell a great person with a very profound mind, a kind heart and a great sense of humor. There are far too few people like him.
Such a great, long run – I enjoyed following along with Dan’s thought and personality, challenged and enlightened. I am very much not the same from the first reading or listening I made. Such an abrupt halt – was really expecting a few more captivating yarns. Will much miss his adventures, but so glad for the ones we got. Enjoying the comments too – yeah, I enjoyed his bold wide thought, looking for new ideas but carefully using what we know.
A great and terrible loss. The way our culture has been moving lately we need thinkers like him more than ever. Condolences to his friends and family.
First Hitchens and now Dennett. It’s as if a shining light has been extinguished in human intellectual thought ..and more than that… a warmth, wit and humour in intellectual discussion than can never be duplicated.