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COVER STORY: THE SEMANTIC ENGINEER
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Photo by Rose Lincoln |
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The full story "The Semantic Engineer,"
by Andrew Brown of The Guardian, appears online: http://books.guardian.co.uk
The following sidebar appeared together
with the main feature in the Fall issue of Tufts Magazine
The Dennett Draw
Since its inception in 1986, the Center for
Cognitive Studies has attracted scholars from around the world,
all drawn by the chance to work closely with University Professor
Daniel Dennett.
Two research professors also associated with the Center—provost
and senior vice president and professor of psychology Jamshed
Bharucha and professor of psychology at the New School
for Social Research Marcel Kinsbourne—also contribute their intellectual
presence to this small “think tank” within Tufts’ Department
of Philosophy.
“Dan Dennett is one of the most influential and creative
thinkers of our time,” says Bharucha. “His
presence on the Tufts faculty and at the Center for Cognitive
Studies gives Tufts a huge profile in a variety of fields
relating to the study of cognition, including psychology,
neuroscience, evolutionary biology, linguistics, computer
science, and, of course, philosophy. He is one of the most
widely knowledgeable people I know; if there was ever an
example of one individual synthesizing complex, technical,
and nuanced ideas from diverse disciplines, it would be
Dan. His work encompasses the most fundamental, enduring
questions—nothing
less than an understanding of what we are as human beings,
what we believe about what we are, and how we and our beliefs
evolved.”
Dennett annually reviews applications for visiting fellowships;
he has no need to advertise and anticipated that if he did, “I
would spend all my time vetting applicants. Look, Tufts
is an attractive place. Boston is heaven for anyone who wants
to immerse themselves in research.”
Richard Griffin, who recently completed a Ph.D. at Cambridge
University in psychology, is this year’s research fellow.
An expert on child development and autism, he is helping Dennett
with research on religious convictions that will figure in
Dennett’s new book on religion, while completing
studies of his own on autism.
“Rick is a psychologist with a good ear—and mind—for
philosophical subtleties,” says Dennett. “He can
see immediately what I’m trying to tease apart experimentally,
and helps me design the right instrument to do that.”
Says Griffin: “The Center for Cognitive Studies is a
wonderful place to be. There is no better ‘coach’ than
Professor Dennett, who is as tough as he is supportive and
kind. It is a haven of sorts, both for empirical research and
for grappling with some of the more difficult issues in cognitive
science. I feel fortunate to be here. It’s a first-class
learning environment and a happy home.”
The fellowship can be highly valuable by offering a welcome
chance to explore and develop new ideas, often with impact
well beyond Miner Hall. When Dennett collaborated with noted
psychologist Nicholas Humphrey, a visiting fellow in 1987,
the partnership included a field-study of the sociology and
symptomatology of multiple personality disorder. Their preliminary
conclusions were published in an essay, “Speaking for
Our Selves.” Humphrey now divides his time between
the London School of Economics and the New School and continues
to try to apply evolutionary understanding to philosophical,
social, and political issues.
Humphrey is just one of the highly respected “alumni” listed
on the Center’s website. “Just look at the list,” says
Dennett. “These are my intellectual brainchildren—not
disciples—I hate that. But I am very proud to have
worked with them, and helped them, at an important time
in their careers.”
Dennett adds that the Center sometimes appoints Visiting
Fellows without stipends who want to work with Dennett at
Tufts while they are on sabbatical or have a research travel
grant. “For
them,” he says, “this can be a temporary academic
home and a place where they can hang out, talk, and share ideas.”
by Laura
Ferguson
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