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Single Idea 19264

[filed under theme 18. Thought / C. Content / 1. Content ]

Full Idea

A representation cannot accidentally be about an object. Aboutness is in general an intentional relation.

Gist of Idea

Aboutness is always intended, and cannot be accidental

Source

Anand Vaidya (Understanding and Essence [2010], 'Objections')

Book Ref

-: 'Philosophia' [-], p.326


A Reaction

'Intentional' with a 't', not with an 's'. This strikes me as important. Critics dislike the idea of 'representation' because if you passively place a representation and its subject together, what makes the image do the representing job? Answer: I do!


The 8 ideas from 'Understanding and Essence'

If 2-D conceivability can a priori show possibilities, this is a defence of conceptual analysis [Vaidya]
Define conceivable; how reliable is it; does inconceivability help; and what type of possibility results? [Vaidya]
Inconceivability (implying impossibility) may be failure to conceive, or incoherence [Vaidya]
In a disjunctive case, the justification comes from one side, and the truth from the other [Vaidya]
Gettier deductive justifications split the justification from the truthmaker [Vaidya]
Essential properties are necessary, but necessary properties may not be essential [Vaidya]
Aboutness is always intended, and cannot be accidental [Vaidya]
Can you possess objective understanding without realising it? [Vaidya]