intentionality
in-ten-shuh-NAL-uh-tee
/ɪnˌten.ʃəˈnæl.ə.ti/
The capacity of mental states to be directed toward, about, or represent things, properties, and states of affairs.
In philosophy of mind, it denotes the essential 'aboutness' of thoughts, distinct from mere moral intentions.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'intendere' (to stretch toward). Medieval Scholastics and later 19th-century philosopher Franz Brentano used it to describe how mind stretches out toward target objects.
Word relationships
- aboutness: Aboutness is the intuitive description of intentionality's core technical feature.
- mindlessness: Mindlessness denotes a complete lack of conscious representation or thought.
Commonly confused with
- intention: An intention is a plan to act, whereas intentionality is the technical mental property of representing things.
Word family
- intentional (adjective): Exhibiting intentionality or deliberate purpose.
- intentionally (adverb): With intentionality or deliberate aim.
Collocations
- display intentionality
- mental intentionality
- collective intentionality
Example sentences
- "Franz Brentano reintroduced intentionality to explain the unique characteristic that distinguishes mental phenomena from physical objects." Philosophy of mind
Memory hook
INTENTIONALITY = your mind INTENDING or reaching toward an object. Mind's power of aboutness.
When not to use
Do not use as a synonym for simply having good intentions in daily conversations.
Fun facts
- John Searle used the 'Chinese Room' thought experiment to argue that artificial intelligence lacks real mental intentionality.
Related words
Explore more words
intellectual, concentration, introspection, cognitive, Cognition, affordance
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