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A Principle of Intentionality.

Charles K Turner¹

¹Retired, Brentwood CA, USA.

Frontiers in Psychology

|February 23, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Causality explains how things work but not why they matter. This study proposes a principle of intentionality, integrating objective wisdom, to provide a complete scientific worldview beyond causality alone.

Keywords:

intention intentional relation mental processes principle of causality principle of intentionality

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Area of Science:

Philosophy of Mind
Neuroscience
Cognitive Science

Background:

Mainstream scientific theories, including neuroscience, adhere to causality.
Causal explanations are value-neutral, lacking objective basis for truth or wise intention.
Daniel Dennett's work highlights the brain as a syntactic engine, distinct from semantic meaning.

Purpose of the Study:

To expand Daniel Dennett's model into a principle of intentionality.
To establish a framework for understanding mental processes and objective value.
To propose a more complete scientific worldview by combining causality and intentionality.

Main Methods:

Conceptual expansion of Dennett's intentional stance.
Development of a principle of intentionality centered on objective wisdom.
Integration of causality and intentionality for a comprehensive worldview.

Main Results:

A principle of intentionality is proposed, revolving around objective wisdom.
This principle offers a structure to account for all mental processes.
It provides a basis for the scientific understanding of objective value.

Conclusions:

A combined principle of causality and intentionality offers a more complete scientific worldview.
Intentionality, particularly objective wisdom, is crucial for understanding meaning and value.
Science can achieve a richer understanding by integrating these two principles.