Single Idea 4875

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 6. Homuncular Functionalism]

Full Idea

We are descended from robots, and composed of robots, and all the intentionality we enjoy is derived from the more fundamental intentionality of billions of crude intentional systems.

Gist of Idea

We descend from robots, and our intentionality is composed of billions of crude intentional systems

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Kinds of Minds [1996], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Kinds of Minds' [Phoenix 1997], p.73


A Reaction

A more grand view of intentionality (such as Searle's) seems more attractive than this, but the crucial fact about Dennett is that he takes the implications of evolution much more seriously than other philosophers. He's probably right.