Sections
Magazine
Latest Issue

As Britain’s death toll from Covid-19 passes 100,000, there is one burning question: why did so many have to die? Tom Clark, Gaby Hinsliff and Philip Ball chart the persistent failures—from both the chief scientists and the politicians. Former head of the Supreme Court Brenda Hale takes on the human rights sceptics and Rana Mitter asks whether China's grip on Hong Kong means the end of the historic freedoms in the city.

Read Now Or Checkout the archive
Previous
January/February 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
Events
Next Event

How do we stop a generation from sleepwalking into retirement?

Previous
Watch: Homes for all—what new social and affordable housing can do for Britain
Watch: The 2020 Think Tank Awards Ceremony
Watch: What next for pensions? Why the 2020s are the crunch decade
To the archive
Podcast
Latest Episode

The Prospect Interview #168: Karachi Vice, with Samira Shackle

Previous
The Prospect Interview #167: We are Bellingcat, with Eliot Higgins
The Prospect Interview #166: The unofficial Covid-19 inquiry
The Prospect Interview #165: The art of the ordinary, with Marc Stears
To the archive
Philosophy Darwin Descartes

Interview: Daniel Dennett—philosophy has a big role to play, “if only it will play it”

Most academic philosophy today "is not worth my effort"

By Alex Dean  
March 6, 2017

From Bacteria to Bach and Back, Daniel Dennett, £25

“I am not engaging in a lot of the disputation that is currently fashionable in academic departments of philosophy… I don’t think it’s worth my effort.” In an exclusive interview with Prospect, Daniel Dennett, world-leading philosopher of mind and one of the “Four Horsemen of Atheism,” aimed fire at those who pull philosophy in the wrong direction.

“I’ve got my priorities, and I think there’s more philosophical substance to be…

Register today to continue reading

You’ve hit your limit of three articles in the last 30 days. To get seven more, simply enter your email address below.

You’ll also receive our free e-book Prospect’s Top Thinkers 2020 and our newsletter with the best new writing on politics, economics, literature and the arts.

Prospect may process your personal information for our legitimate business purposes, to provide you with newsletters, subscription offers and other relevant information.

Click here to learn more about these purposes and how we use your data. You will be able to opt-out of further contact on the next page and in all our communications.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to letters@prospect-magazine.co.uk

Alex Dean

Alex Dean is senior editor at Prospect

More stories by Alex Dean

More From Prospect