Podcasts about Dennett

Welcome back to the General Counsel Podcast with Timothy Harner! Our guest today is Rev. Dennett Buettner. Tim met Dennett as first year law students at Harvard Law School, and in today's episode they discuss the many ways that the Spirit of the LORD has led Dennett in his life and career.Find more at https://timharner.com

Endolith is a Denver-based biotech startup revolutionizing mining by leveraging microbes to sustainably extract copper and lithium from low-grade ores. Founded in 2023, the company employs custom-engineered microbial communities, adaptive biohatcheries, and real-time cloud-based monitoring to enhance mineral recovery while minimizing environmental impact. Endolith's innovations have demonstrated significant improvements in copper extraction, attracting partnerships with industry leaders like BHP and Rio Tinto. Their approach not only boosts efficiency but also reduces reliance on harmful chemicals, aligning mining practices with clean energy goals.–Dr. Liz Dennett is a technologist and entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in biotech and energy industries.Previously, she was the CTO of Cemvita, developing nature-inspired biosolutions for a carbon-neutral future.  Liz has held senior roles at Wood Mackenzie, AWS, Biota Technology, Hess Corporation, and the NASA Astrobiology Institute. She is also an advisory board member for the UW-Madison Dept. of Geoscience.  Liz holds a MS and PhD in geoscience and astrobiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison–We talked about reasons for her purple hair, copper demand expected to double by 2050, specially evolved microbial communities combined with cloud computing to enhance copper recovery, relying on internal validation over external approval, and bad mining puns.--

"Süße Träume" ist Daniel C. Dennetts kritische Antwort auf eine Denkrichtung in der modernen Philosophie des Geistes, in der dem Bewusstsein besondere Qualitäten zugesprochen werden, die sich naturwissenschaftlich nicht erforschen lassen. Dennett behauptet, dass dies eben doch möglich ist. Das Buch bietet eine ausführliche Einsicht in diese hitzige Debatte.

Check out Botanical Bazaar festival here: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Rsvdfl⁠The Gold Coast's Premier Gardening and Sustainable living festival August 2nd and 3rd.  Pack your gumboots and curiosity — we're heading to Melliodora! In this episode of The Practical Permaculture Podcast, Alysse sits down with the incredible Su Dennett: community builder, local food champion, and one half of the dream team behind Melliodora, Australia's iconic permaculture homestead.Together, they chat about what it really means to live simply in a not-so-simple world. From buying land and growing food to building deep connections with neighbours, Su shares her lived wisdom on relocalisation, resilience, and why slowing down might just be the ultimate act of resistance.Expect heartfelt stories about motherhood, identity, and navigating the chaos of modern life with a grounded, generous spirit. Su reflects on her roots, her cultural influences, the power of passing down knowledge, and how being a role model (even when it's messy) helps shape future generations.You'll hear: 

Preston Dennett began investigating UFOs and the paranormal in 1986 when he discovered that his family, friends and co-workers were having dramatic unexplained encounters. Since then, he has interviewed hundreds of witnesses and investigated a wide variety of paranormal phenomena. He is a field investigator for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), a ghost hunter, a paranormal researcher, and the author of 24 books and more than 100 articles on UFOs and the paranormal.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.

Join us for part 2 of our long interview with UFO researcher Preston Dennett and Billy Meier US representative Michael Horn, where we discuss UFOs and predictions. Preston continues to discuss cases of Humanoids and close encounters.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/paranormal-uk-radio-network--4541473/support.

Mary Ware Dennett was one of the most important and influential activist for women's rights, contraception, free speech and sex education in early 20th century America. So why does her nemesis Margaret Sanger get all the attention? Returning guest Stephanie Gorton helps Olivia unravel the mystery of this fascinating, forward-thinking woman. Music featured in this episode provided by Asher Fulero, Kevin Macleod, The Mini Vandals, Late Night Feeler, Jeff Cuno, Cooper Cannell, Dan Bodan, and the American Quartet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFO author and Youtuber Preston Dennett returns to the Paranormal Peep Show. Discussed in this episode are the mystery Drones sighted in the UK and around the US. Are they really authorised by the Civial Aviation authority? How can the US authorise drones therefore the UK? The facts do not add up with that explanation. The UK authorities have remained tight lipped on anything UFO related over the past 20 years, they are hardly likely to be open about the drones. We also discuss strange humanoid encounters, including those of famed UFO contactee from Switzerland, Billy Meier. We bring Billy's  voluntary Authorized American Media Representative for the Billy Meier Contacts, Michael Horn into have a chat about Billy, his UFO encounters, and his many predictions, including earthquakes and asteroid strikes upon the earth.Andy introduces us to alien technology in the way of a strange paper clip that when bent can return to it's original shape when placed in hot water. Is it the strange metal that was allegedly recovered from the Roswell crash and now manufactured by industry?All this and more in the Feb 2025 edition of the Paranormal Peep Show with your hosts Neil Ward, Andy Chaplin and Ben Emlyn-Jones. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/paranormal-uk-radio-network--4541473/support.

Preston Dennett began investigating UFOs and the paranormal in 1986 when he discovered that his family, friends and co-workers were having dramatic unexplained encounters. Since then, he has interviewed hundreds of witnesses and investigated a wide variety of paranormal phenomena. He is a field investigator for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), a ghost hunter, a paranormal researcher, and the author of 24 books and more than 100 articles on UFOs and the paranormal.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.

Welcome to another episode where we dive deep into the mysteries of the legendary Sasquatch. Today, we embark on a journey through time, exploring the origins of this enigmatic creature's name, the pioneers who paved the way for cryptozoological research, and the modern-day encounters cataloged by the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO). Finally, we'll take a closer look at the track evidence that has sparked heated debates in both the scientific and cryptid communities.The Genesis of the Name SasquatchLong before Bigfoot became a household name, indigenous cultures across North America shared stories of large, hairy beings that roamed the forests.The term Sasquatch itself originates from the Coast Salish word Sésquac, meaning “wild man.” It was introduced to popular culture in the 1920s by J.W. Burns, a Canadian teacher who collected and documented First Nations' accounts of the creature. From there, Sasquatch slowly made its way into the cryptid lexicon, preceding the more famous moniker Bigfoot, which wouldn't gain traction until the late 1950s.The pursuit of unknown creatures isn't new. In the mid-20th century, a new branch of study emerged—cryptozoology—dedicated to investigating creatures that exist on the fringes of scientific recognition. Figures like Bernard Heuvelmans, Ivan T. Sanderson, and Grover Krantz were instrumental in developing this field, applying scientific methods to analyze claims of mysterious creatures, including Sasquatch. Krantz, in particular, became one of the foremost defenders of Bigfoot's potential existence, arguing that physical evidence—especially footprints—could not be easily dismissed.The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) has meticulously cataloged thousands of encounters, compiling witness reports from across North America. From fleeting glimpses to prolonged close encounters, the database serves as one of the largest repositories of Bigfoot-related evidence. Patterns have emerged over time—frequent sightings in the Pacific Northwest, eerie vocalizations heard in dense forests, and even alleged physical interactions with the creature. But with this vast amount of anecdotal evidence, the question remains: Are these reports merely misidentifications, hoaxes, or something more?Tracks and the Debate Over Their AuthenticityFootprints have long been one of the most cited pieces of evidence in the search for Sasquatch. Some tracks, like the famous Cripple Foot print analyzed by Grover Krantz, have been presented as near-definitive proof of the creature's existence. Others, like the tracks discovered by Paul Freeman, have been widely debated, with skeptics arguing they were fabricated. This brings us to an article published in The Skeptical Inquirer by Michael R. Dennett, titled Bigfoot Evidence: Are These Tracks Real? In this piece, Dennett critically examines track evidence, particularly those tied to Freeman and Krantz, raising questions about their authenticity and whether belief has clouded scientific rigor.Final ThoughtsWhether you're a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, the mystery of Sasquatch remains one of the most enduring and fascinating topics in cryptozoology. The stories, the evidence, and the ongoing debates keep us questioning what might be lurking in the remote wilderness. As we sift through history, firsthand encounters, and the physical evidence left behind, one thing is certain—the legend of Sasquatch isn't going anywhere.Tune in and decide for yourself: Are we on the cusp of a major cryptozoological discovery, or is the truth behind Sasquatch forever lost in folklore and fabrication?Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our SponsorsVisit Untold Radio AMVisit HIMS.COMBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

Direct from the Insomniac HQ in Los Angeles, Night Owl Radio is a weekly show presented by the Night Owl himself aka Pasquale Rotella. With special guest mixes, exclusive info on Insomniac Events and lots of interaction with you, the Headliners. Get involved on Twitter @PasqualeRotella and use the hashtag #NightOwlRadio. This week Crumb Pit select their Up All Night tracks and DENNETT is on Guest Mix duties!

I was unable to get Josh Greenbaum and Brian Dennett together for an on-the-ground podcast at ASUG Tech Connect in November, but the show provoked important talks on RISE, clean core, and why SAP projects need enterprise architects. Those topics aren't going away, so we got together virtually to make sense of what we learned - and what's next. With looming ERP deadlines on the one hand, and modernization/AI on the other, it's a crucial year for SAP. The role of the S/4HANA public cloud edition is in the middle of this also. That's plenty for this discussion, which starts out on a humorous note as the cities and shows blurred together for your host. Note: there are more podcasts from this show, including an ASUG collaboration on Enterprise Architects coming soon - and my on the ground taping with Jelena Perfiljeva of the Boring Enterprise Nerds on SAP developer issues, clean core debates and more: https://jonerp.podbean.com/e/asug-tech-connect-review-jelena-perfiljeva-of-boring-enterprise-nerds/

I was unable to get Josh Greenbaum and Brian Dennett together for an on-the-ground podcast at ASUG Tech Connect in November, but the show provoked important talks on RISE, clean core, and why SAP projects need enterprise architects. Those topics aren't going away, so we got together virtually to make sense of what we learned - and what's next. With looming ERP deadlines on the one hand, and modernization/AI on the other, it's a crucial year for SAP. The role of the S/4HANA public cloud edition is in the middle of this also. That's plenty for this discussion, which starts out on a humorous note as the cities and shows blurred together for your host. Note: there are more podcasts from this show, including an ASUG collaboration on Enterprise Architects coming soon - and my on the ground taping with Jelena Perfiljeva of the Boring Enterprise Nerds on SAP developer issues, clean core debates and more: https://jonerp.podbean.com/e/asug-tech-connect-review-jelena-perfiljeva-of-boring-enterprise-nerds/

For hundreds of years, atheists have been blaming the world's problems on religion. But John Lennox says not so fast! Tackling well-known skeptics Hawking, Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens, and Onfray, he pinpoints fallacies in the New Atheists' approach, arguing that their irrational, unscientific methodology is no better than the unreasoned claims offered by religious dogmatists.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For hundreds of years, atheists have been blaming the world's problems on religion. But John Lennox says not so fast! Tackling well-known skeptics Hawking, Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens, and Onfray, he pinpoints fallacies in the New Atheists' approach, arguing that their irrational, unscientific methodology is no better than the unreasoned claims offered by religious dogmatists.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're Listening to Parallax Views https://parallaxviews.podbean.com/ Support the Show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Recorded: 12-11-24 On this edition of Parallax Views, journalsit and lawyer Charlotte Dennet returns to the program to discuss her book Follow the Pipelines: Uncovering the Mystery of a Lost Spy and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil, which features a forward by her brother, the late American philosopher and cognitive scientist Daniel C. Dennett. Previously, Charlotte, alongside Gerard Colby, co-wrote a book that has been mentioned previously on the program, Thy Will Be Done: The Conquest of the Amazon: Nelson Rockefeller and Evangelism in the Age of Oil. Follow the Pipelines came about as a result of Dennett's search for answers about the death of her father, Daniel Dennett, who was the U.S.'s master spy in the Middle East. Dennett died in a plane crash that remains shrouded in mystery. This led Dennett to uncover the world of what she calls "The Great Game for Oil". We discuss the relationship between war and oil pipelines in this conversation. Although Charlotte and I have discussed Follow the Pipelines before, this conversation will focus more on Syria and the Great Game in light of the overthrow of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. For your benefit, Charlotte has provided maps from her book that will aid in understanding the conversation:

Preston Dennett is a researcher, lecturer, writer, actor, singer, consultant and so much more. A true renaissance man when it comes to the world of the anomalous. He has written over one hundred articles on the subject and authored over thirty nonfiction books (as well as over 40 fiction ones.) In this cast he is interviewed primarily on one of his books that sheds light on a much-neglected area of Ufological research “UFOs at The Drive-In.” Jay & Aspasia are so grateful for this intimate interview with one of Ufology's greats.Link to home pagehttps://prestondennett.weebly.com/authors-biography.htmlLink to youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@prestondennett577

Stephanie Gorton looked at the lives & rivalry between two key figures in the early movement for birth control & reproductive rights. She was interviewed by author and UC Davis School of Law professor Mary Ziegler.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Gorton looked at the lives & rivalry between two key figures in the early movement for birth control & reproductive rights. She was interviewed by author and UC Davis School of Law professor Mary Ziegler.      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we are speaking with Liz Dennett, the CEO and Founder of Endolith. Endolith recently spun out of Cemvita to form its own independent company. (Ep #200 with Moji from Cemvita)By 2050, we will need more copper than in the history of mankind due to the electrification of industry and developing countries. If we don't solve this, it could lead to geopolitical conflicts. Their tech uses microbes to eat crushed rocks and poop out copper (I did say explain it to me like I'm 5). They add this to existing mining operations to increase output by ~10%. This helps us get closer to solving copper demand.In today's conversation, we cover**Copper in electrification**Her journey to CEO of Endolith**Why copper could be the thing wars are fought over**The innovation behind microbial mining**The balance between generating hype and focusing on scientific advancementsEnjoy! ---

The great free will debate ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What does it mean to have—or not have—free will? Were the actions of mass murderers pre-determined billions of years ago? Do brain processes trump personal responsibility? Can experiments prove that free will is an illusion? Bill Nye, Steven Pinker, Daniel Dennett, Michio Kaku, Robert Sapolsky, and others approach the topic from their unique fields and illustrate how complex and layered the free will debate is. From Newtonian determinism, to brain chemistry, to a Dennett thought experiment, explore the arguments that make up the free will landscape. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRANSCRIPT: - Well, you ask one of the deepest philosophical questions of physics. The question of free will. - For billions of years on this planet, there was life, but no free will. Physics hasn't changed, but now we have free will. - The brains are automatic, but people are free. - Our ability to choose is often confused. - Human choices will not be predictable in any simple way. - In reality, I don't think there's any free will at all. DANIEL DENNETT: For billions of years on this planet there was life, but no free will. Physics hasn't changed, but now we have free will. The difference is not in physics. It has to do with, ultimately, with biology. Particularly evolutionary biology. What has happened over those billions of years, is that greater and greater competences have been designed and have evolved. And the competence of a dolphin, or of a chimpanzee, the cognitive competence, the sort of mental competence, is hugely superior to the competence of a lobster, or a starfish. But ours dwarfs the competence of a dolphin or a chimpanzee, perhaps to an even greater extent. And there's an entirely naturalistic story to say, to tell about how we came to have that competence, or those competences. And it's that, "Can do." It's that power that we have which is natural, but it's that power which sets us aside from every other species. And the key to it is that we don't just act for reasons. We represent our reasons to ourselves and to others. The business of asking somebody, "Why did you do that?" And the person being able to answer, it is the key to responsibility. And in fact, the word, "responsibility," sort of wears its meaning on its sleeve. We are responsible because we can respond to challenges to our reasons. Why? Because we don't just act for reasons, we act for reasons that we consciously represent to ourselves. And this is what gives us the power and the obligation to think ahead, to anticipate, to see the consequences of our action. To be able to evaluate those consequences in the light of what other people tell us. To share our wisdom with each other. No other species can do anything like it. And it's because we can share our wisdom that we have a special responsibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode contains: The hosts are all here this week, and Steven and Ben met up with listener Hank and field-adjacent correspondent Matt to play Arcs. Spoiler alert: it was fun. Ben finally bought Super Mario Wonder and it is so much better than the “creatively bankrupt” New Super Mario Bros. series of games. “What do you have for me today?” or “Future or Now”. I don't know/don't care anymore.   Brain Matters: I think therefore I am. Devon reviews Consciousness Explained, a 1991 book by the American philosopher Daniel Dennett, in which the author offers an account of how consciousness arises from interaction of physical and cognitive processes in the brain. Dennett describes consciousness as an account of the various calculations occurring in the brain at close to the same time. He compares consciousness to an academic paper that is being developed or edited in the hands of multiple people at one time, the “multiple drafts” theory of consciousness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness_Explained https://theness.com/neurologicablog/chalmers-dennett-and-the-hard-problem-of-consciousness/   Spicyness, the final frontier Astronauts' perception of flavor changes in the space environment of the International Space Station (ISS). Can we duplicate this experience in VR? Astronauts report that food tastes less flavorful in space, leading them to add more spices and sauces. The study found that some aromas like almonds and vanilla seem more intense in a simulated space environment, while others like lemon are unaffected. The researchers suspect the chemical composition of certain flavors, like the sweet compound benzaldehyde, may influence how they are perceived in a space-like environment. https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/07/astronauts-find-their-tastes-dulled-and-a-vr-iss-hints-at-why/   The multiverse is unending Steven gives a spoiler-free review of Deadpool and Wolverine, and then discusses ALL the spoilers coming out of San Diego Comic Con for the MCU.   Book Club In two weeks: The Last Conversation by Paul Tremblay https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VDJBGRY Next week: an interview with listener/patron Renee, covering her experience at San Diego Comic Con! This week: Clap Back by Nalo Hopkinson A real banger of a story that's not without it's flaws, but boy is this a must-read. https://www.amazon.com/Clap-Back-Black-Stars-Hopkinson-ebook/dp/B098QNLW6D

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Abandoning functionalism: Some intuition pumps, published by Alfredo Parra on July 12, 2024 on The Effective Altruism Forum. There seems to be a widely-held view in popular culture that no physicist really understands quantum mechanics. The meme probably gained popularity after Richard Feynman famously stated in a lecture (transcribed in the book "The Character of Physical Law") "I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics", though many prominent physicists have expressed a similar sentiment. Anyone aware of the overwhelming success of quantum mechanics will recognize that the seeming lack of understanding of the theory is primarily about how to interpret its ontology, and not about how to do the calculations or run the experiments, which clearly many physicists understand extremely well. But even the ontological confusion is debatable. With the proliferation of interpretations of quantum mechanics - each varying in terms of, among others, which classical intuitions should be abandoned - at least some physicists seem to think that there isn't anything weird or mysterious about the quantum world. So I suspect there are plenty of physicists who would politely disagree that it's not possible to really understand quantum mechanics. Sure, it might take them a few decades of dedicated work in theoretical physics and a certain amount of philosophical sophistication, but there surely are physicists out there who (justifiably) feel like they grok quantum mechanics both technically and philosophically, and who feel deeply satisfied with the frameworks they've adopted. Carlo Rovelli (proponent of the relational interpretation) and Sean Carroll (proponent of the many-worlds interpretation) might be two such people. This article is not about the controversial relationship between quantum mechanics and consciousness. Instead, I think there are some lessons to learn in terms of what it means and feels like to understand a difficult topic and to find satisfying explanations. Maybe you will relate to my own journey. See, for a long time, I thought of consciousness as a fundamentally mysterious aspect of reality that we'd never really understand. How could we? Is there anything meaningful we can say about why consciousness exists, where it comes from, or what it's made of? Well, it took me an embarrassingly long time to just read some books on philosophy of mind, but when I finally did some 10 years ago, I was captivated: What if we think in terms of the functions the brain carries out, like any other computing system? What if the hard problem is just ill-defined? Perhaps philosophical zombies can teach us meaningful things about the nature of consciousness? Wow. Maybe we can make progress on these questions after all! Functionalism in particular - the position that any information system is conscious if it computes the appropriate outputs given some inputs - seemed a particularly promising lens. The floodgates of my curiosity were opened. I devoured as much content as I could on the topic - Dennett, Dehaene, Tononi, Russell, Pinker; I binge-read Brian Tomasik's essays and scoured the EA Forum for any posts discussing consciousness. Maybe we can preserve our minds by uploading their causal structure? Wow, yes! Could sufficiently complex digital computers become conscious? Gosh, scary, but why not? Could video game characters matter morally? I shall follow the evidence wherever it leads me. The train to crazy town had departed, and I wanted to have a front-row seat. Alas, the excitement soon started to dwindle. Somehow, the more I learned about consciousness, the more confused and dissatisfied I felt. Many times in the past I'd learned about a difficult topic (for instance, in physics, computer science, or mathematics) and, sure, the number of questions would mul...

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/daniel-dennett-retrospective. In April 2024, we lost one of the greatest American philosophers of our time—Daniel Dennett. Known for his brilliant mind and controversial views, his contributions to philosophy include topics like consciousness, AI, evolution, atheism, intentions, free will and moral responsibility. In this special episode remembering his life and work, Josh and Ray are joined by Jenann Ismael from Johns Hopkins University, author of "How Physics Makes Us Free," to listen to some of Dennett's past appearances on the program with John and Ken.

Sophie Elliott was a recently graduated 22 year old beautiful woman with a new job and ready to begin her adult life. She recently ended her relationship with 33 year old Clayton Weatherston a university tutor that worked at the same university Sophie had attended. Clayton could not cope with Sophie ending their unhealthy relationship just as she learned she would be moving for her first after college professional job. On his birthday just before Sophie leaves Clayton Weatherston does the unthinkable with Sophie's mother right on the other side of her bedroom door.  Join Patreon here to binge bonus content! Crime Curious is creating a kick-ass exclusive listener experience | Patreon https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crimecurious  Music By: Michael Drzewiecki  Cover Art By: Charnell Lennox Booker, Jarrod.  “Gruesome details of…”  The  New Zealand Herald.  23 Jun 2009. Longley, Mark, and Brownlie, Kaysha.  “Sophie Elliott's mother…” NewsHub.  22 Nov 2022. Find-a-Grave.  Sophie Kate Elliott.  Dennett, Kelly.  “A decade on…”  New Zealand Herald.  05 Jan 2018. Callahan, Caley.  “Father of Dunedin…” NewsHub.  09 Jul 2022. Murder of Sophie Elliott - Wikipedia Clayton Weatherston jailed for minimum 18 years | Stuff Gruesome details of Sophie Elliott killing revealed in court - NZ Herald

durée : 00:04:16 - Le Biais de Lionel Naccache - par : Lionel Naccache - Daniel Dennett, mort le 19 avril 2024, était un philosophe américain d'une érudition et d'une intelligence extrêmes. Il a révolutionné la philosophie des sciences et la philosophie de l'esprit. Sa pensée originale a stimulé la créativité et l'inventivité de nombreux chercheurs. Hommage.

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: The Intentional Stance, LLMs Edition, published by Eleni Angelou on May 1, 2024 on LessWrong. In memoriam of Daniel C. Dennett. tl;dr: I sketch out what it means to apply Dennett's Intentional Stance to LLMs. I argue that the intentional vocabulary is already ubiquitous in experimentation with these systems therefore what is missing is the theoretical framework to justify this usage. I aim to make up for that and explain why the intentional stance is the best available explanatory tool for LLM behavior. Choosing Between Stances Why choose the intentional stance? It seems natural to employ or ascribe cognitive states to AI models starting from the field's terminology, most prominently by calling it "machine learning" (Hagendorff 2023). This is very much unlike how other computer programs are treated. When programmers write software, they typically understand it in terms of what they designed it to execute (design stance) or simply make sense of it considering its physical properties, such as the materials it was made of or the various electrical signals processing in its circuitry (physical stance). As I note, it is not that we cannot use Dennett's other two stances (Dennett 1989) to talk about these systems. It is rather that neither of them constitutes the best explanatory framework for interacting with LLMs. To illustrate this, consider the reverse example. It is possible to apply the intentional stance to a hammer although this does not generate any new information or optimally explain the behavior of the tool. What seems to be apt for making sense of how hammers operate instead is the design stance. This is just as applicable to other computer programs-tools. To use a typical program, there is no need to posit intentional states. Unlike LLMs, users do not engage in human-like conversation with the software. More precisely, the reason why neither the design nor the physical stance is sufficient to explain and predict the behavior of LLMs is because state-of-the-art LLM outputs are in practice indistinguishable from those of human agents (Y. Zhou et al. 2022). It is possible to think about LLMs as trained systems or as consisting of graphic cards and neural network layers, but these hardly make any difference when one attempts to prompt them and make them helpful for conversation and problem-solving. What is more, machine learning systems like LLMs are not programmed to execute a task but are rather trained to find the policy that will execute the task. In other words, developers are not directly coding the information required to solve the problem they are using the AI for: they train the system to find the solution on its own. This requires for the model to possess all the necessary concepts. In that sense, dealing with LLMs is more akin to studying a biological organism that is under development or perhaps raising a child, and less like building a tool the use of which is well-understood prior to the system's interaction with its environment. The LLM can learn from feedback and "change its mind" about the optimal policy to go about its task which is not the case for the standard piece of software. Moreover, LLMs seem to possess concepts. Consequently, there is a distinction to be drawn between tool-like and agent-like programs. Judging on a behavioral basis, LLMs fall into the second category. This conclusion renders the intentional stance (Dennett 1989) practically indispensable for the evaluation of LLMs on a behavioral basis. Folk Psychology for LLMs What kind of folk psychology should we apply to LLMs? Do they have beliefs, desires, and goals? LLMs acquire "beliefs" from their training distribution, since they do not memorize or copy any text from it when outputting their results - at least no more than human writers and speakers do. They must, as a result, ...

Known as one of the "Four Horsemen" of "New Atheism," Daniel Dennett was a philosopher, professor, author, and speaker whose resume spans almost half a century.In the wake of his death on April 19, 2024, we take a moment to remember.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Você é livre pra fazer suas escolhas? Ou será que todas já estão determinadas? Você de fato escolheu ouvir esse cast ou será que toda a sua história de vida, junto com a história do universo, te levaram a isso? Um debate filosófico sobre o que significa viver em um mundo determinista, as repercussões teóricas e práticas disso.         Patronato do SciCast: Patreon SciCast Padrim SciCast Nos ajude via Pix também, chave: contato@scicast.com.br Sua pequena contribuição ajuda o Portal Deviante a continuar divulgando Ciência! Contatos: contato@scicast.com.br https://twitter.com/scicastpodcast https://www.facebook.com/scicastpodcast https://instagram.com/scicastpodcast Fale conosco! E não esqueça de deixar o seu comentário na postagem desse episódio! Expediente: Produção Geral: Tarik Fernandes e André Trapani Equipe de Gravação: Tarik Fernandes, André Trapani, Roberto Spinelli, Felipe Novaes e Anna Rita Erthal Citação ABNT: Scicast #589: Determinismo. Locução: Tarik Fernandes, André Trapani, Roberto Spinelli, Felipe Novaes, Anna Rita Erthal. [S.l.] Portal Deviante, 26/04/2024. Podcast. Disponível em: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast-589 Arte: Jânio Referências e Indicações   Sugestões de literatura: LAPLACE, Pierre-Simon. Ensaio filosófico sobre as probabilidades. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Contraponto, 2010. SEARLE, John. Neurobiologia e Liberdade. Unifesp, 2008. DENNETT, Daniel. Brainstorms. Unifesp, 2006.   Sugestões de filmes: The Good Place, S03E07: O pior uso possível do livre-arbítrio.   Sugestões de vídeos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYzFH8xqhns&t=1s    Sugestões de links: Scicast #108: Isaac Newton: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast/108-isaac-newton/  Scicast #152: Física Quântica: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast/scicast-152-fisica-quantica/  Scicast #165: Física Quântica 2: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast/scicast-165-fisica-quantica-2/  Scicast #377: Teorema de Bayes: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast-377/  SciCast #315: Psicologia: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast-315/  SciCast #537: Desigualdades de Bell: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast-537/ SciCast #477: Emaranhamento Quântico: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast-477/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul asserts his right to non-assertion ... Campus protests and free speech controversies ... Have pro-Palestine protestors crossed a line? Have their opposition? ... Will the protests force a reckoning on campus “wokeness”? ... Remembering philosopher Daniel Dennett ... Bob vs Dennett on consciousness ... Does the mind-body problem suggest a cosmic solution? ... Heading to Overtime ...

Paul asserts his right to non-assertion ... Campus protests and free speech controversies ... Have pro-Palestine protestors crossed a line? Have their opposition? ... Will the protests force a reckoning on campus “wokeness”? ... Remembering philosopher Daniel Dennett ... Bob vs Dennett on consciousness ... Does the mind-body problem suggest a cosmic solution? ... Heading to Overtime ...

Another chance to listen to Stephen Sackur's 2013 interview with American philosopher Daniel Dennett, who has died aged 82. Described as one of the Four Horsemen of New Atheism, Dennett wrote powerfully against religion. But do humans really want to live in a world where atheism rules and religion is dead?

Daniel Dennett was one of the most famous philosophers in the world, one of the so-called “Four Horsemen of the New Atheism.” Dennett died April 19 at age 82. This hour, our 2015 conversation with Daniel Dennett, as recorded onstage at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford. GUEST: Daniel Dennett: Was a philosopher, writer and and the co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Betsy Kaplan, Dylan Reyes, and Chion Wolf contributed to this show, which originally aired January 21, 2016, in a different form.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Daniel Dennett has died (1924-2024), published by kave on April 19, 2024 on LessWrong. Daniel Dennett, professor emeritus of philosophy at Tufts University, well-known for his work in philosophy of mind and a wide range of other philosophical areas, has died. Professor Dennett wrote extensively about issues related to philosophy of mind and cognitive science, especially consciousness. He is also recognized as having made significant contributions to the concept of intentionality and debates on free will. Some of Professor Dennett's books include Content and Consciousness (1969), Brainstorms: Philosophical Essays on Mind and Psychology (1981), The Intentional Stance (1987), Consciousness Explained (1992), Darwin's Dangerous Idea (1995), Breaking the Spell (2006), and From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds (2017). He published a memoir last year entitled I've Been Thinking. There are also several books about him and his ideas. You can learn more about his work here. Professor Dennett held a position at Tufts University for nearly all his career. Prior to this, he held a position at the University of California, Irvine from 1965 to 1971. He also held visiting positions at Oxford, Harvard, Pittsburgh, and other institutions during his time at Tufts University. Professor Dennett was awarded his PhD from the University of Oxford in 1965 and his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Harvard University in 1963. Professor Dennett is the recipient of several awards and prizes including the Jean Nicod Prize, the Mind and Brain Prize, and the Erasmus Prize. He also held a Fulbright Fellowship, two Guggenheim Fellowships, and a Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Study in Behavioral Sciences. An outspoken atheist, Professor Dennett was dubbed one of the "Four Horsemen of New Atheism". He was also a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, an honored Humanist Laureate of the International Academy of Humanism, and was named Humanist of the Year by the American Humanist Organization. Dennett has had a big influence on LessWrong. He coined the terms "belief in belief", "the intentional stance" and "intuition pump". Thanks for listening. To help us out with The Nonlinear Library or to learn more, please visit nonlinear.org

  @JordanBPeterson   Exploring the Philosophical and Scientific | Dr. Daniel Dennett | EP 438 https://youtu.be/VWpm2NOF2Zw?si=6YS2G0xqn9-b_HCS  The whole conversation is here in "no wait no ads" https://youtu.be/6zrawpzwRf0   Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg Bridges of Meaning Discord https://discord.gg/J6BqymNg https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/ My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/ Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/ If you want to schedule a one-on-one conversation check here. https://calendly.com/paulvanderklay/one2one There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333  If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/  All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.  https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640  

In 1974, Carl Higdon met a strange, floating humanoid in the woods, and was taken inside a strange see-through structure, only to be literally dropped back down to Earth. Higdon's case is a classic UFO abduction, but it may also shed light on other unexplained disappearances and deaths around the world. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kP8eCbWHg-o Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/user?u=3375417 Donate on Paypal: https://ThinkAnomalous.com/support.html Website: https://ThinkAnomalous.com Full transcript & sources: https://ThinkAnomalous.com/carl-higdon.html Facebook: https://facebook.com/ThinkAnomalous Twitter: https://twitter.com/Think_Anomalous Instagram: https://instagram.com/Think.Anomalous Sources: Bourke, Frank. “I was kidnapped by a UFO bubble.” Lafayette National Star. March 22, 1975. Article Reproduced in Sprinkle, “A Preliminary Report,” Flying Saucer Review 21, no. 3, 5-7. Dennett, Preston E. UFO healings: True Accounts of People Healed by Extraterrestrials. Mill Spring, NC, USA: Wildflower Press, 1996. Dennett, Preston E. The Healing Power of UFOs: 300 True Accounts of People Healed by Extraterrestrials. USA: Independently published, 2019. Higdon, Margery A. Alien Abduction of The Wyoming Hunter: First person story of Carl Higdon, October 25, 1974. USA, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 2017. Paulides, David, director. Missing 411: The U.F.O. Connection. 1hr, 33min. 2022. Sprinkle, R. Leo. “A Preliminary Report on the Investigation of an Alleged UFO Occupant Encounter.” Flying Saucer Review 21, no. 3, 3 - 5. November, 1975. Supernatural Girlz. “Carl & Margery Higdon | The Carl Higdon Alien Abduction Story.” Inception Radio Network. YouTube video, 1:13:36. November 2, 2017. https://youtu.be/789LVh-GF1Y. Taylor, Sue. “[article title unknown]”. Rawlins Daily Times (vol. LXXXVII, No. 204). October 29, 1974. Article Reproduced in Sprinkle, “A Preliminary Report,” Flying Saucer Review 21, no. 3, 4-5. “UFO Captives.” In Search Of. Season 3, Episode 1. September 14, 1978. Vallée, Jacques. Dimensions: A Casebook of Alien Contact. San Antonio, TX, USA: Anomalist Books, (1988) 2008. This podcast uses sound effects downloaded from stockmusic.com. UFO Case Review contains sound design with elements downloaded from Freesound.org. Typewriter_2rows.wav, Uploaded by Fatson under the Attribution License.

Who's afraid of zombification? Apparently not analytic philosophers. In episode 99 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk all about zombies and their unfortunate legacy in the thought experiments of academic philosophy. Their portrait as brain-eating and consciousness-lacking mobs is a far cry from their origins in the syncretic sorcery at the margins of Haitian Voodoo. This distance means that the uncanny zombie raises provocative questions about the problematic ways philosophy integrates and appropriates nonwestern culture into its canon. Your hosts probe beyond limits of the tradition when they explore zombification in animals, in reading, in Derrida, and beyond.Check out the episode's extended cut here!Works DiscussedEllie Anderson, “Derrida and the Zombie”David J. Chalmers, The Conscious MindWade Davis, The Serpent and the RainbowDescartes, MeditationsLeslie Desmangles, The Faces of the GodsDaniel C. Dennett, "The Unimagined Preposterousness of Zombies" & Consciousness ExplainedZora Neale Hurston, Tell my HorseEdgar Allan Poe, “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar”Justin Smith-Ruiu, “The World as a Game” The Last of Us (2023)Night of the Living Dead (1968)Get Out (2017)Overthink, Continental Philosophy: What is it, and why is it a thing? Patreon | patreon.com/overthinkpodcast Website | overthinkpodcast.comInstagram & Twitter | @overthink_podEmail |  Dearoverthink@gmail.comYouTube | Overthink podcastSupport the show

Chapter 1 What's Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking Book by Daniel Clement DennettIntuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking is a book written by philosopher Daniel Dennett. In this book, Dennett presents a collection of thinking tools and techniques that can help readers improve their critical thinking skills and make better decisions. The book covers a wide range of topics, including cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and the nature of consciousness. Dennett offers practical advice and exercises to help readers sharpen their reasoning abilities and navigate the complexities of modern life. Overall, Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their cognitive abilities and become a more effective thinker.Chapter 2 Is Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking Book A Good BookYes, many readers and critics consider "Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking" by Daniel Clement Dennett to be a valuable and insightful book on critical thinking and problem-solving. Dennett is a renowned philosopher known for his clarity of thought and ability to explain complex ideas in a accessible way. The book offers a range of tools and techniques for sharpening our thinking skills and making more informed decisions. Overall, it is highly recommended for anyone interested in improving their critical thinking abilities.Chapter 3 Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking Book by Daniel Clement Dennett Summary"Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking" is a book by Daniel Clement Dennett, a prominent philosopher known for his work in cognitive science and evolutionary psychology. The book explores various techniques and strategies that people can use to improve their critical thinking skills and make better decisions.Dennett introduces the concept of "intuition pumps," which are mental tools that help to stimulate and clarify thinking processes. These tools can include thought experiments, analogies, and linguistic tricks that challenge assumptions and uncover hidden biases.Throughout the book, Dennett discusses a range of topics, such as consciousness, free will, and the nature of reality, using these intuition pumps to examine different perspectives and challenge conventional wisdom. He encourages readers to think critically, question their own beliefs, and consider alternative explanations for complex issues.Dennett also emphasizes the importance of skepticism and scientific inquiry in shaping our understanding of the world. By using the tools and techniques outlined in the book, readers can become more effective thinkers and make more informed decisions in a world filled with uncertainty and ambiguity.Overall, "Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking" is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the ways in which we can improve our reasoning abilities and navigate the complexities of the modern world. It offers valuable guidance for anyone seeking to enhance their critical thinking skills and make sense of the world around them. Chapter 4 Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking Book AuthorDaniel Clement Dennett is an American philosopher, writer, and cognitive scientist known for his work in the fields of philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and evolutionary psychology. He is the author of several influential books, including "Consciousness Explained," "Darwin's Dangerous Idea," and "Breaking the Spell.""Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking" was released in 2013. This book is a collection of essays and thought...

For hundreds of years, atheists have been blaming the world's problems on religion. But our guest says not so fast! Tackling well-known skeptics Hawking, Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens, and Onfray, he pinpoints fallacies in the New Atheists' approach, arguing that their irrational, unscientific methodology is no better than the unreasoned claims offered by religious dogmatists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darcy Dennett is a master storyteller and highly-accredited, and award-winning documentarian. Travelling the globe to expertly –and beautifully—document stories of the human condition… hardship, resilience and ultimately triumph, Darcy's work has resonated with millions on platforms ranging from NatGeo and History Channel to PBS and Netflix. Dennett was Showrunner of 4 seasons of the highly successful Dogtown (National Geographic) following trainers, vets, and caregivers at a Utah animal sanctuary as they rescue and rehabilitate dogs that would otherwise be euthanized. The series was nominated for a Genesis Award given by the Humane Society, in recognition of media illuminating animal rights issues. Darcy, notably, also directed and executive produced the documentary feature, The Champions (Netflix), about the pit-bulls rescued from the notorious dog-fighting ring of Atlanta Falcons' star quarterback Michael Vick—an inspirational story of resilience and the relationship between humans and animals. Darcy, Mina and Rick do a deep dive on her foray into the pit bull world; how and why she became interested, her initial perceptions of the “breed,” her view today of the pit bull, and a surprising discourse on Vick himself. This episode is a must-see/must-listen for a wholly original take on pit bull-type dogs, and a shining example of the possibility of changing the misconceptions surrounding our beautiful bully breeds Check in with Darcy at www.fireflyfilmworks.com and follow on IG @darcydennett Please subscribe to Rick's YouTube channel @rickbassman and follow on IG @rick_bassman www.fireflyfilmworks.com Check in with Mina at www.animosanctuary.com and follow on IG @minas.animal.sanctuary

Is the attack on Gaza and what seems to be an attempt to depopulate the area at least partially about oil and gas? On today's Birthday Boost show we speak […] The post The Oil to War Pipeline with Charlotte Dennett appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Charlotte Dennett, a spy's daughter, connects the dots. Is oil a component in the Ukraine & Israel wars? Norman Solomon discusses the never-ending 'War on Terror' response to 9/11. Corruption: $20 million to unseat Rashida Tlaib. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/support

Charlotte Dennett says it is necessary to follow the money. She points out it is still about oil and more, even in the Israel/Hamas war. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/support

Author Tyrene Wright is the author of the book Booker T Washinton and Africa: The Making of a Pan Africanist and will join our classroom. Before Dr. Wright, the daughter of America's alleged first Master Spy, Charlotte Dennett will offer a different perspective on the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The President of Appeal Inc., Dr. Kelechi Egwin, will also be in our classroom. Personal Stories From An Afro-Palestinian FAQS Answered: Read Our Israel-Palestine Battle Breakdown Inside Text "DCnews" to 52140 For Local & Exclusive News Sent Directly To You! The Big Show starts on WOLB at 1010 AM, wolbbaltimore.com, WOL 95.9 FM & 1450 AM & woldcnews.com at 6 am ET., 5 am CT., 3 am PT., and 11 am BST. Call-In # 800 450 7876 to participate, & listen liveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Parallax Views, our coverage of Israel/Palestine and the bombing of Gaza by Israel in retaliation for the October 7th Hamas attack. Investigative journalist and attorney Charlotte Dennett, the daughter of American master spy Daniel Dennet and author of Follow the Pipelines: Uncovering the Mystery of a Lost Spy and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil (as well as the co-author, with her husband Gerard Colby, of the classic Thy Will Be Done: The Conquest of the Amazon: Nelson Rockefeller and Evangelism in the Age of Oil), joins the show to discuss the recent turmoil in the Middle East, specifically in Gaza and Israel, in relation to what has been called "The Great Game for Oil". We discuss oil pipelines, her father Daniel Dennett and Saudi Arabia, oil war history dating back to WWI and WWII, Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, the city of Haifa, geopolitics, the Iraq War, and much, much more. You may find looking at the cover of Charlotte's book as well as the map in this episode description useful while listening to this episode.

Carrie Dennett is a Pacific Northwest-based nutrition therapist, certified Intuitive Eating counselor, journalist, author and speaker.  She writes a weekly nutrition column for The Seattle Times and contributes regularly to Today's Dietitian magazine. Carrie is the author of Healthy For (Your) Life: A Non-Diet Approach to Optimal Well-being, which blends intuitive and mindful eating with a non-diet approach, current nutrition science, and a lot of nutrition myth-busting.  She also brings these principles to her virtual private practice, where she helps women who are struggling with disordered eating or trying to overcome chronic dieting, and who want a more peaceful relationship with food and their bodies. She is a second-career dietitian who worked as a newspaper journalist for many years before earning her Master of Public Health in nutritional sciences from the University of Washington.   We discuss topics including: Carrie's passion of being an RDN and a journalist The problems with “diet culture” and “wellness culture” Understanding what is “diet culture”? And understanding what is “wellness culture”? Asking oneself who is my audience?   SHOW NOTES: www.nutritionbycarrie.com https://www.instagram.com/carriedennett/ ____________________________________________ If you have any questions regarding the topics discussed on this podcast, please reach out to Robyn directly via email: rlgrd@askaboutfood.com You can also connect with Robyn on social media by following her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes and subscribe. Visit Robyn's private practice website where you can subscribe to her free monthly insight newsletter, and receive your FREE GUIDE “Maximizing Your Time with Those Struggling with an Eating Disorder”. Your Recovery Resource, Robyn's new online course for navigating your loved one's eating disorder, is available now! For more information on Robyn's book “The Eating Disorder Trap”, please visit the Official "The Eating Disorder Trap" Website. “The Eating Disorder Trap” is also available for purchase on Amazon.

Get tickets for our event: skeptic.com/event 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.

In this episode, we examine the timeless question of “free will”: what constitutes it, what is meant by it, what ought to be meant by it, and, of course, whether we have it at all. We start with the neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky who begins to deflate the widely held intuition and assumption of “libertarian free will” by drawing out a mechanistic and determined description of the universe. We then hear from the philosopher who has long been Sam's intellectual wrestling opponent on this subject, Daniel Dennett. Dennett and Sam spar about definitional and epistemological frameworks of what Dennett insists is “free will,” and what Sam contends could never be. The author and physicist Sean Carroll then engages Sam with more attempts to find a philosophically defensible notion of free will by leaning on the unknowable nature of the universe revealed by quantum mechanics. We then listen in on Sam's engagement with the mathematician and author Judea Pearl who focuses on matters of causation to tease out a freedom of will. After a historical review of Princess Elizabeth's famous exchanges with Rene Descartes, we hear from the biologist Jerry Coyne, who firmly agrees with Sam that a deterministic picture of reality leaves absolutely no room for anything like free will. We then hear from the curiously entertaining mind of comedian and producer Ricky Gervais who was thinking about free will while taking a bath when he decided to phone Sam. We conclude with Sam's own response to concerns that an erasure of free will inevitably result in fatalism, loss of meaning, and passive defeat. Sam insists that the loss of free will actually pushes us in the opposite direction where we begin to see hatred and vengeance as incoherent and start to connect with a deeper and truer sense of genuine compassion.   About the Series Filmmaker Jay Shapiro has produced The Essential Sam Harris, a new series of audio documentaries exploring the major topics that Sam has focused on over the course of his career. Each episode weaves together original analysis, critical perspective, and novel thought experiments with some of the most compelling exchanges from the Making Sense archive. Whether you are new to a particular topic, or think you have your mind made up about it, we think you'll find this series fascinating.