intentionality

[in-ten-shuh-nal-i-tee]

noun

1. the fact or quality of being done on purpose or with intent.

   The author’s choice here may not have been intentionally racially charged, but discrimination and prejudice are often not rooted in intentionality.

2. an attitude of purposefulness, with a commitment to deliberate action.

   “Active hope” is a practice that does not require optimism; instead, it requires intentionality.

3. Metaphysics.

   1. the capacity of the mind to refer to an existent or nonexistent object.

      The mind has intentionality as it is directed toward something it affirms, desires, loves, or hates; but the something is not necessarily real.

   2. (said of consciousness or a sign) the fact or property of pointing beyond itself.

      We relate to the world through intentionality—the capacity of consciousness to be about states of affairs outside itself.

Word History and Origins

Origin of intentionality¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Medieval Latin intentiōnālitās, equivalent to intentional ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )