Mind: A Brief Introduction (John R. Searle) / quote 28 of 138
What philosophers mean by intentionality
“Intentionality” is a technical term used by philosophers to refer to that capacity of the mind by which mental states refer to, or are about, or are of objects and states of affairs in the world other than themselves. So, for example, if I have a belief, it must be a belief that something is the case. If I have a desire, it must be a desire to do something or that something should happen. If I have a perception, I must at least take myself to be perceiving some object or state of affairs in the world. All of these are said to be intentional, in the sense that in each case the state refers beyond itself. Intending, in the ordinary sense in which I intend to go to the movies tonight, is just one kind of intentionality among others along with belief, hope, fear, desire, and perception.