Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking

Thinking is hard. A few of us may be natural geniuses; others are blessed with reserves of willpower. Then there are the rest of us: not prodigies and short on time, but still aspiring to understand the world. What can we do? Acclaimed thinker Daniel Dennett reveals a collection of his favourite thinking tools, or 'intuition pumps'. From Occam's Razor to the benefit of mistakes, the 90% rule to avoiding 'deepities', this entertaining guide will enable you to tackle life's most fundamental questions - evolution, meaning, consciousness and free will - and teach you to think independently and creatively. 'Intelligence, insight and flair . . . They don't come much bigger than Daniel Dennett.' Julian Baggini, Guardian 'Brilliant . . . Vintage Dennett.' @ Richard Dawkins 'A philosopher's box of tools for the musing mind.' Melvin Konner, Nature 'A lively primer on the radical answers Mr. Dennett has elaborated to the big questions in his nearly five decades in philosophy.' Jennifer Schuessler, The New York Times 'America's most important and entertaining philosopher.' Observer 'Dennett will lift the top off your head.' Daily Beast