Darwin Dangerous Idea Evolution and the Meanings of Life (Audible Audio Edition) Daniel C Dennett Kevin Stillwell Audible Studios Books
Download As PDF : Darwin Dangerous Idea Evolution and the Meanings of Life (Audible Audio Edition) Daniel C Dennett Kevin Stillwell Audible Studios Books
In a book that is both groundbreaking and accessible, Daniel C. Dennett, whom Chet Raymo of The Boston Globe calls "one of the most provocative thinkers on the planet", focuses his unerringly logical mind on the theory of natural selection, showing how Darwin's great idea transforms and illuminates our traditional view of humanity's place in the universe. Dennett vividly describes the theory itself and then extends Darwin's vision with impeccable arguments to their often surprising conclusions, challenging the views of some of the most famous scientists of our day.
Darwin Dangerous Idea Evolution and the Meanings of Life (Audible Audio Edition) Daniel C Dennett Kevin Stillwell Audible Studios Books
Although a 521 page book, I felt as if I read a 900+ page book. This is probably because I frequently reread through sections for a more concise understanding. My caveat: do NOT autopilot (not pay attention) when reading because you will find yourself lost. Can have things been explained more feasibly? Maybe, maybe not but I don't think that is up for my judgement so I will not reflect that in my rating. As a 20 year old accounting student, i'm sure its viable that I haven't seen many inquiries on these subjects before. Luckily, if you get lost at some point you're not doomed for the rest of the book. Different chapters and even sections take upon new topics, almost fully unrelated to the one before. I gave the book a 5/5 because I found many sections to be intellectual engaging. I can remember when sitting down in the backyard outside my grandparent's house, with a view of just grass and a golf course, I was a brain-frying 20+ pages deep that day when I happened to finish the chapter. I put the book down, smiled, and lightly uttered the words "damn" as I laid there on the lawn chair for a few minutes. I was happy because knowledge is a gift, and this book had a whole lot to supply. When I read this book I sort of felt out of touch with general society, in a sort of rewarding and intellectual way. The author, Daniel Dennett, is ostensibly intelligent and well-researched. He challenges many popular theories and ideologies with prudent insight. Many notable figures are talked about, such as Darwin of course, John Maynard Smith, Chompsky, Gould, Alan Turing, Aristotle, Dawkins, Skinner, etc, just to name a small few.4.6/5
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Darwin Dangerous Idea Evolution and the Meanings of Life (Audible Audio Edition) Daniel C Dennett Kevin Stillwell Audible Studios Books Reviews
This was an enjoyable book. Maybe a bit difficult or lengthy for some readers. Dennett covers the full range of topics, but also includes philosophical, historical, mental(mind), linguistic, ethical and morality arguments (or proofs) for concepts of real existence and religious delusions.
A phenomenal read. Dan Dennett is a philosopher, yet he blends evolutionary theory into this book and does it well. Great read for anyone interested in Darwin, evolution, philosophy or religious impact on science.
This would be my "desert island" book. One of the most important books of my life. I would never want to be without a copy of it. I never really understood thhe ramifications of evolution until I read this book.
To fully grasp Dennett's arguments in "Darwin's Dangerous Idea", lots of preparatory reading is required on various authors and topics including, but not limited to Stephen Jay Gould whom the author targets his most scathing criticisms of, Gould's colleague, Richard Lewontin, American linguist and philosopher, Noam Chomsky, mathematical physicist, Roger Penrose, cognitive scientist, Jerry Fodor, adaptationism and gradualism, reductionism, saltationism, memetics etc. Dennett spends little time in introducing the reader to the works of these authors and their ideas, and instead, debunks anything and everything that attempts to weaken Darwin's natural selection theory.
In a heated and publicized exchange resulting largely from Dennett's attack on Gould with an entire chapter of "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" devoted to discrediting him, Gould, who is considered the foremost authority on espousing the views on evolution called Dennett a "Darwinian Fundamentalist" who has reduced biological and cultural evolution to a largely mindless algorithmic process.
Dennett introduces two new metaphors of cranes and skyhooks which he uses repeatedly in his arguments. Cranes are the lifting mechanisms facilitating the design of organisms. They are grounded and explainable. Skyhooks are imaginary, unsupported and supposedly capable of advancing organisms in leaps and bounds in unexplainable ways. Dennett morphs some of the ideas of his detractors into skyhooks, and because skyhooks cannot exist, they have to be either falsehoods or reduced to cranes.
The subtitle of "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" is "Evolution and the Meanings of Life", but throughout the 500 plus pages, Dennett dabbles in hostile territory, unapologetically attacking critics of natural selection as the primary engine of evolution. Perhaps this book should have been divided into two parts; one titled "Evolution and the Meanings of Life", and the other, "Duel of the Titans."
I am a simpleton. My biology grade was something to blush about, and if I had this book 40 years ago when I was studying the basics of biology I would have tried for an A plus. This book not only explains but educates on so many levels.
Daniel C. Dennet is a great author and I compliment him on this book.
It is not only a great read, but children should be reading it as soon as they can grasp these concepts.
I can recommend this book as one of the greater books I have studied, because you not only read this book.
Although a 521 page book, I felt as if I read a 900+ page book. This is probably because I frequently reread through sections for a more concise understanding. My caveat do NOT autopilot (not pay attention) when reading because you will find yourself lost. Can have things been explained more feasibly? Maybe, maybe not but I don't think that is up for my judgement so I will not reflect that in my rating. As a 20 year old accounting student, i'm sure its viable that I haven't seen many inquiries on these subjects before. Luckily, if you get lost at some point you're not doomed for the rest of the book. Different chapters and even sections take upon new topics, almost fully unrelated to the one before. I gave the book a 5/5 because I found many sections to be intellectual engaging. I can remember when sitting down in the backyard outside my grandparent's house, with a view of just grass and a golf course, I was a brain-frying 20+ pages deep that day when I happened to finish the chapter. I put the book down, smiled, and lightly uttered the words "damn" as I laid there on the lawn chair for a few minutes. I was happy because knowledge is a gift, and this book had a whole lot to supply. When I read this book I sort of felt out of touch with general society, in a sort of rewarding and intellectual way. The author, Daniel Dennett, is ostensibly intelligent and well-researched. He challenges many popular theories and ideologies with prudent insight. Many notable figures are talked about, such as Darwin of course, John Maynard Smith, Chompsky, Gould, Alan Turing, Aristotle, Dawkins, Skinner, etc, just to name a small few.
4.6/5
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