1942 – 2024
Daniel Dennett was an American philosopher and cognitive scientist, widely regarded as one of the most influential philosophers of mind of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He was a professor at Tufts University and co-director of its Center for Cognitive Studies, known for his rigorous naturalistic approach to consciousness, intentionality, and evolutionary theory.
Developed the 'multiple drafts' model of consciousness as an alternative to Cartesian materialism
Articulated the intentional stance as a predictive framework for attributing beliefs and desires
Authored 'Consciousness Explained' (1991), a landmark work in philosophy of mind
Defended a memetic account of cultural evolution in 'Darwin's Dangerous Idea' (1995)
Pioneered heterophenomenology as a third-person methodology for studying subjective experience