more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
It is on the foundation of unconscious intentionality that the higher-order complexities developed that have culminated in what we call consciousness.
Gist of Idea
Unconscious intentionality is the foundation of the mind
Source
Daniel C. Dennett (Brainchildren [1998], Ch.25)
Book Ref
Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Brainchildren' [Penguin 1998], p.358
A Reaction
Sounds right to me. Pace Searle, I have no problem with unconscious intentionality, and the general homuncular picture of low levels building up to complex high levels, which suddenly burst into the song and dance of consciousness.
| 2526 | Philosophers regularly confuse failures of imagination with insights into necessity [Dennett] |
| 2523 | That every mammal has a mother is a secure reality, but without foundations [Dennett] |
| 2525 | Maybe language is crucial to consciousness [Dennett] |
| 2527 | Unconscious intentionality is the foundation of the mind [Dennett] |
| 2524 | A language of thought doesn't explain content [Dennett] |
| 2530 | Could a robot be made conscious just by software? [Dennett] |
| 2528 | Does consciousness need the concept of consciousness? [Dennett] |
| 2529 | Maybe there can be non-conscious concepts (e.g. in bees) [Dennett] |