As far as I understand, he actually does define his terms. Dennett defines a mind as a rational agent/decision algorithm (subject to evolutionary baggage and bugs in the algorithm). Please correct me if I’m wrong.
At this point in the book, he certainly hasn’t reached that conclusion. He’s merely given parameters under which taking the Intentional Stance is a good idea; when it’s useful to treat something as having a mind, beliefs, desires, etc. This, he says, will be a useful stepping stone to figuring out what minds and beliefs and desires really are, and how to know where they exist in this world.
As far as I understand, he actually does define his terms. Dennett defines a mind as a rational agent/decision algorithm (subject to evolutionary baggage and bugs in the algorithm). Please correct me if I’m wrong.
At this point in the book, he certainly hasn’t reached that conclusion. He’s merely given parameters under which taking the Intentional Stance is a good idea; when it’s useful to treat something as having a mind, beliefs, desires, etc. This, he says, will be a useful stepping stone to figuring out what minds and beliefs and desires really are, and how to know where they exist in this world.