To Bach And Back: The Evolution O... — From Bacteria

Episode 64: From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The evolution of minds

Words are the primary "thinking tools." By learning language, we "install" software in our brains that allows us to reflect, plan, and create. From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution o...

If biological evolution gave us the hardware (our brains), cultural evolution gave us the software. Dennett leans heavily on the concept of —units of cultural information that replicate and evolve just like genes. Episode 64: From Bacteria to Bach and Back:

How did a world of mindless matter give rise to the sublime brilliance of a Bach concerto or the complex engineering of a space station? In his landmark book, , philosopher Daniel Dennett attempts to bridge the gap between "dumb" biology and "intelligent" culture. 1. Competence Without Comprehension How did a world of mindless matter give

Dennett famously argues that consciousness is not a "magic spark" but a Just as you don't need to understand code to use a computer folder icon, your "conscious self" is a simplified interface your brain provides so you can interact with other humans and manage your own complex internal states. Ready to dive deeper?