Intentionality

Abstract“Intentionality” is the term given by philosophers to the feature of some mental states that allows them to be about things, that is, to have “content” that in some way refers to things outside themselves. The concept was introduced into philosophy by Brentano (seeBrentano, Franz), who famously held that it was the distinguishing mark of the mental (Huemer 2010: 1). Having an intention to do something is anexampleof an intentional state in this sense, because one must intend todo something. But hope and fear, love and hate, belief and desire, are also intentional states in the broader sense to be discussed here since such states also have “objects.” One must hope for something, fear something, love or hate something, believe or want something.