Intentionality
Intentionality is a philosophical concept that refers to the capacity of the mind to be directed toward or about something. This includes beliefs, desires, hopes, fears, and other mental states that are always “about” objects, events, or states of affairs—even if those things don’t exist in reality.
Revived by Franz Brentano in the 19th century, intentionality became a central theme in phenomenology, particularly in the works of Edmund Husserl. It is considered the defining feature of consciousness: every act of consciousness has an object. For example, if you are thinking about justice or imagining a unicorn, your mind is directed toward that concept or image.
Intentionality helps differentiate mental phenomena from physical ones. It is foundational in understanding perception, language, and cognition. While physical objects just exist, intentional states are relational, always involving a mental representation of something else. Thus, intentionality is key to exploring the nature of thought and meaning.