TORONTO: Science and Philosophy Book Club – Consciousness Explained, by Daniel Dennett

Join guest host, Heider Alward for a discussion on Daniel Dennett’s Consciousness Explained.

Consciousness Explained is a book from 1991 by the American philosopher Daniel Dennett which offers an account of how consciousness arises from interaction of physical and cognitive processes in the brain. This book can be read with genuine pleasure by a non-philosopher; anyone who picks it up will be swept up in the excitement of Dennett’s project. Even a reader who has never looked into a psychology book, or taken an interest in computers, will find herself absorbed in summaries of interesting psychological and physiological experiments, and in brief but clear accounts of curious computer programs. Dennett integrates all these into the development of his ‘Multiple Drafts’ model of consciousness with great skill, and moves smoothly back and forth between laboratory results and philosophical generalizations.

This group is dedicated to providing a friendly, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. Meetings take place every two months, on the fourth Monday of the month. All meetings will take place at Scallywags Pub, 11 St Clair Ave W, unless otherwise indicated. There is a $4 Recommended Donation.