Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Dennett is a practical philosopher of science; the book is a detailed analysis and extension of the idea of "designer-free design", evolution by incremental random change.

on HN, 2019

As an adult, I've been very influenced by the late Daniel Dennett and his naturalist philosophy.

on HN, 2024

I was already less than sympathetic to the whole God idea, but that book was the revelation that made it all click.

on HN, 2022

I still remember the moment, p.53 or so, when he explained how a simple algo and a few billion years could explain all biology we see around us.

on HN, 2022

explains how complex designs like our mind can appear out of very simple rules without the need of a designer or what consciousness basically is - a high level view i.e. how can we understand it in simple terms - or what is the purpose of humor.

on HN, 2019

I can't tell if "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" is in there or not. If not, "The Elegant Universe" would be my suggestion for the one to throw out to make room for it.

on HN, 2023