The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation has awarded the Erasmus Prize 2012 to the American philosopher Daniel C. Dennett (1942). The theme of the Erasmus Prize this year is 'the cultural meaning of the natural sciences'. Daniel Dennett is praised for his ability to translate the cultural significance of science and technology to a broad audience
Daniel Dennett (1942) is an American philosopher, author and cognitive scientist, whose research focuses on the philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and philosophy of biology. He is currently co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies, Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy, and University Professor at Tufts University, USA.
Professor Dennett has addressed the most fundamental cultural questions of our time, such as: Where do we come from, and what is it that makes us human? He has worked on a philosophical theory that integrates biological and cultural phenomena under one overarching, unifying principle, taking Darwin’s theory of evolution as the basis for his worldview. A source of inspiration for colleague scientists and students, Daniel Dennett builds bridges between different disciplines, he stands firm for the importance of scientific research and shows how the natural sciences have a fundamental impact upon our lives.
With books and articles on a wide range of topics (books such as Consciousness Explained; Darwin’s Dangerous Idea), he manages to reach a broad audience way beyond the confines of philosophy.
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