Assertion Quote by Daniel Dennett
“Are zombies possible? They're not just possible, they're actual. We're all zombies. Nobody is conscious — not in the systematically mysterious way that supports such doctrines as epiphenomenalism. *It would be an act of desperate intellectual dishonesty to quote this assertion out of context!”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Philosophy of Mind, 2018
He claims that humans function like zombies, lacking true consciousness, challenging views like epiphenomenalism, and warns against misquoting his stance.
In simple terms: Humans act without genuine consciousness, questioning philosophical assumptions.
Key Takeaway
Question the nature of consciousness.
Themes
philosophy
consciousness
skepticism
Mood
critical
provocative
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- ethical debates
- psychology research
- AI consciousness
- public discourse
Key Concepts
epiphenomenalism
zombie argument
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports or refutes the zombie hypothesis?
- How does this view affect moral responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Argument may oversimplify complex neuroscience and philosophy.
