Intentional States Quote by John Rogers Searle
““Intentional states function only given a set of Background capacities that do not themselves consist in intentional phenomena. Thus, for example, beliefs, desires, and rules only determine conditions of satisfaction—truth conditions for beliefs, fulfillment conditions for desires, etc.—given a set of capacities that do not themselves consist in intentional phenomena. I””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Paper: Mind, Language, and Society, 1990
Intentional states depend on background capacities that are non‑intentional, so mental content is grounded in non‑mental structures.
In simple terms: Thoughts rely on non‑mental foundations.
Key Takeaway
Recognize underlying non‑intentional bases of mental states.
Themes
philosophy
mind
language
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
academic
When to use this quote
- cognitive science
- AI development
- education
Key Concepts
intentionality
background capacities
semantic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What non‑intentional structures support your beliefs?
- How do rules shape mental content?
A Different Perspective
Non‑intentional bases may be hard to identify.
