The Existence of Intentionality
Historically, the concept of intentionality can be traced back to medieval philosophy, where it was used to explain the relationship between God and the world. The concept was later developed by several philosophers, including Edmund Husserl, who introduced the term and distinguished it as a unique feature of consciousness. According to Husserl, intentionality is a fundamental factor that distinguishes the mental from the physical. For Husserl, our mental states are intrinsically directed towards the world and the objects in it, and we have to be conscious of the world to have any mental states.
Another key figure in the discussion of intentionality is Franz Brentano, who argued that intentionality is the defining feature of mental phenomena. Brentano likened intentionality to a "mental act" that points towards something, be it an object, a concept or a state of affairs. He argued that intentionality is the defining characteristic of the psychological, and consciousness always involves the mental act of “being conscious of" something.
However, not all philosophers agree with this perspective of intentionality. Daniel Dennett, a contemporary philosopher, argues that the concept of intentionality is illusory, claiming that there is no such thing as mental states having an “aboutness”. According to Dennett’s “Functionalism” theory, intentionality can be explained by the way mental processes function independently of the actual content of the mental states. Dennett argues that every mental state is just a physical state, and there is nothing inherently about it that makes it have an “aboutness.”
One of the most widely debated questions about intentionality is whether it is innate or learned. Some philosophers, such as John Searle, argue that intentionality is an intrinsic feature of the human mind, and we are born with it. According to Searle, intentionality is a natural constituent of the mind, similar to the way breathing is a natural part of the body.
Others, such as Wilfrid Sellars, argue that intentionality is learned. Sellars claims that our mental states and the concept of intentionality are acquired through society and language. According to Sellars, we learn to understand concepts and the meaning of words through interaction with others and the world around us.
Besides, some philosophers, such as Jerry Fodor, have explored the implications of intentionality for artificial intelligence. Fodor argues that intentionality is a pre-requisite for developing machines adapted for a conscious mind. By developing machines that have the ability to represent contents that are "about" something, we can create a computer that is self-aware, similar to humans. Fodor’s idea is based on the fact that intentionality is an essential characteristic of consciousness, and any conscious being relies on intentionality to function.
In conclusion, the existence of intentionality is an essential concept in the world of philosophy. Despite the divergent views, it is clear that intentionality plays a significant role in our mental states and our understanding of consciousness. The various perspectives on intentionality present in philosophy highlight its complexity and importance. Whether it is innate or learned, intentionality is an intrinsic feature of human mental states and is likely to continue to play a fundamental role in our understanding of the mind and consciousness for years to come.