Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of being deliberate or purposeful: "Intentionality" refers to the state of having a conscious aim or plan behind an action, thought, or communication.
   • The property of being about or directed toward an object or state of affairs: In philosophy, "intentionality" describes the mind's capacity to represent or be about things, properties, and states of affairs.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The artist's work was praised for its clarity and intentionality.
  • A key question in cognitive science is how mental states acquire their intentionality—their "aboutness."
  • The success of the project was due to the team's shared intentionality and focus.

Advanced Usage

• Philosophical Context: The term is central to the philosophy of mind, distinguishing mental phenomena from physical ones by their inherent "aboutness."
  • Brentano argued that intentionality is the mark of the mental.
• Legal/Formal Context: Used to discuss the purposeful nature of an act, often in contrast to accidental actions.
  • The court examined the intentionality behind the defendant's statements.

Variants and Related Words

• Intentional (adj): Done on purpose; deliberate.
  • His absence was intentional.
• Intention (n): A thing intended; an aim or plan.
  • Her intention was to help.

Synonyms

• Deliberateness: The quality of being intentional.
• Purposefulness: The quality of having a definite purpose.
• Volition: The faculty or power of using one's will.

Antonyms

• Accidentality: The quality of happening by chance.
• Fortuity: The occurrence of events by chance.
• Inadvertence: Lack of attention or care; an unintentional oversight.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• With intent: A legal phrase meaning with the conscious objective to perform a specific act.
  • He acted with intent to deceive.
• Phenomenal intentionality: A philosophical concept referring to intentionality that is grounded in conscious experience.

Noun

1. expressive of intentions