A special Independence Day episode.

We're joined by Professor Daniel Dennett for Episode 71 of The Beirut Banyan, and we go back to the early years of Lebanon's independence from French rule and childhood memories from the mid-1940s of Bliss Street and the banyan trees of AUB's campus. Professor Dennett shares stories of his father's assassination, his return to visit his mother in the 1960s and his most recent visits these past eight years including a semester lecturing at AUB.

Professor Dennett is a philosopher and cognitive scientist, and co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University.

The books referenced in the podcast are 'Breaking the Spell':

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Spell-Religion-Natural-Phenomenon/dp/0143038338

written by Professor Dennett, and 'Inside Jokes':

https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/inside-jokes

co-written by Daniel Dennett, Matthew Hurley and Reginald Adams, Jr.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.