Single Idea 3158

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 4. Intentionality / b. Intentionality theories]

Full Idea

Intentional theory is vacuous as psychology because it presupposes and does not explain rationality or intelligence.

Gist of Idea

Theories of intentionality presuppose rationality, so can't explain it

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Brainstorms:Essays on Mind and Psychology [1978], p.15?)

Book Reference

Rey,Georges: 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind' [Blackwell 1997], p.76


A Reaction

Virtually every philosophical theory seems to founder because it presupposes something like the thing it is meant to explain. I agree that 'intentionality' is a slightly airy concept that would probably reduce to something better.