Daniel Dennett: The Man and the Philosopher

Abstract

The article is devoted to the personality and work of the American philosopher D.C. Dennett. The main stages of his life, his key works and ideas are consid­ered. The importance of his books “Content and Consciousness” as the basis for all his subsequent constructions and “Consciousness Explained” as Dennett’s main philosophical achievement is pointed out. Special attention is paid to the Dennett’s theories of intentionality and consciousness. It is shown that Dennett’s belief in the illusory nature of human consciousness was combined in a nontrivial way with his recognition of the reality of human free will. The author also discusses  the evolution of his theory of consciousness and some probable causes of its transformations. It is shown that from a theorist of mind who worked on the verge of paradoxes and did not fear counterintuitive claims, Dennett shifted to posi­tions expressing the general sentiments of cognitive scientists. Dennett’s dislike of academic philosophy is also demonstrated and its causes and significance are discussed. Based on the author’s own observations and Dennett’s autobiographi­cal texts, an attempt is made to reconstruct the main features of his character and personality. The article argues that, despite his critical attitude towards academic philosophy, Dennett had a positive influence on it and that philosophers should not lose his legacy