Daniel Dennett: Reconciling Science and Our Self-Conception

‘For over thirty years Daniel Dennett has been among the most important, innovative and engaging philosophers in the world. With the appearance of his book, Consciousness Explained, in 1991, his fame and his influence spread throughout the academic world and beyond. While there has been a great deal written about Dennett’s ideas, until now we have had no systematic, integrated account of the "real patterns" that run through Dennett’s philosophy. Elton’s clear, readable and well-informed book provides just such an account. This is the ideal book for readers – and they are many – who’ve been captivated by reading Dennett’s work and want to understand how the themes that he explores with such intellectual exuberance fit together in an integrated account of human agents and the sciences that study them.’ – Professor Stephen Stich, Department of Philosophy and Center for Cognitive Science, Rutgers University

‘This is an excellent introduction to the twists and turns of Dennett’s thinking. In guiding the reader through a luminous yet sometimes puzzling maze of images, empirical excursions, thought experiments and hard arguments, Matthew Elton lays bare the deep unifying agenda that animates all of Dennett’s work. Combining the roles of careful critic and generous host, Elton’s patient excavations will help the novice and excite the expert.’ – Professor Andy Clark, Director of the Cognitive Science Program, Department of Philosophy, Indiana University