Ideas worth spreading

The illusion of consciousness

4,528,121 views |

Dan Dennett |

TED2003

• February 2003

Philosopher Dan Dennett makes a compelling argument that not only don't we understand our own consciousness, but that half the time our brains are actively fooling us.

Philosopher Dan Dennett makes a compelling argument that not only don't we understand our own consciousness, but that half the time our brains are actively fooling us.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Dan Dennett

Philosopher, cognitive scientist

See speaker profile

Dan Dennett thinks that human consciousness and free will are the result of physical processes.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.