Daniel Dennett

1942–2024

Daniel Dennett (1942–2024) was an American philosopher whose work connected philosophy of mind with cognitive science and evolutionary biology. He taught at Tufts for more than fifty years and directed its Center for Cognitive Studies; his books include Consciousness Explained and Breaking the Spell.

Traced to source

2 quotes we’ve traced to Daniel Dennett

“Not a single one of the cells that compose you knows who you are, or cares”

Verified

“Philosophers' Syndrome: mistaking a failure of the imagination for an insight into necessity”

Attributed

Not actually Daniel Dennett

Often misattributed to Daniel Dennett

Famous lines widely pinned on Daniel Dennett that we’ve traced to someone else.

“Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned”

actually Unknown

Did they really say it?

Thought Daniel Dennett said something else?

Type a quote you think Daniel Dennett said — we’ll tell you what we know, or point you to the best sources.