The life and near death of a philosopher

In October 2006, philosopher Daniel Dennett was hospitalized due to an aortic dissection. Dennett survived following a nine-hour surgery in which he was given a new aorta.

Only a month later, in an essay posted on the The Edge Foundation website, Dennett offered a firsthand account of his health problems, his consequent feelings of gratitude towards the scientists, cardiologist, surgeons, EMT's, phlebotomists, orderlies, housekeepers, physician assistants, X-ray technicians, meal-bringers, launderers, physical therapists, perfusionist, neurologist, and nurses whose hard work made his recovery possible, and his complete lack of a "deathbed conversion".

By his account, upon having been told by friends and relatives that they had prayed for him, he resisted the urge to ask them, "Did you also sacrifice a goat?"

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