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Philosophy / Unit 6   Philosophy 0221 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Intentionality

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The idea

Intentionality is the mind's aboutness: thoughts, beliefs, and hopes are directed at things—states of mere matter seem directed at nothing.

In practice

A dream about the sea is about the sea; the seawater itself is about nothing whatsoever.

Where people slip

Intentionality is not intention—hoping and fearing are "intentional" here without anyone planning anything.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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