Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking: Daniel C. Dennett

Over a storied career, philosopher Daniel C. Dennett has engaged questions about science and the workings of the mind. His answers have combined rigorous argument with strong empirical grounding. And a lot of fun. In this book, Dennett shares the "imagination extenders and focus-holders" that he and others have developed for addressing life's most fundamental questions. Along with novel discussions of familiar moves--Occam's Razor, reductio ad absurdum--Dennett offers cognitive tools purpose-built for the most treacherous subject matter: evolution, meaning, mind, and free will.
From skyhooks to deepities, the Wandering Two-Bitser and the Prime Mammal, Dennett's genial style persuades as it educates, pointing out pitfalls in arguments as it challenges readers to find others. The result is a sweeping work of deep intellectual seriousness that's also studded with impish delights. Intuition Pumps offers intrepid thinkers--in all walks of life--delicious opportunities to explore their pet ideas with new powers.