The Intentional Stance (Bradford Books)
'The Intentional Stance' by Daniel C. Dennett introduces a key concept in philosophy of mind: adopting an intentional stance to explain behaviors by attributing mental states. It applies this to diverse entities, from people to artificial systems, highlighting its predictive power over purely physical explanations. A seminal text for understanding cognition and intentionality.
About This Book
Daniel C. Dennett presents a framework for understanding intentionality through the intentional stance, a strategy for interpreting actions by assuming beliefs and desires.
The book argues that this approach applies not only to humans but also to animals, robots, and even thermostats, offering a pragmatic way to make sense of complex behaviors.
Dennett critiques alternative stances, like the physical and design stances, emphasizing the intentional stance's utility in everyday predictions.
Published as part of the Bradford Books series, it draws on philosophy of mind to bridge gaps between science and common-sense psychology.
The work invites readers to reconsider how intentionality emerges in a physical world without invoking supernatural elements.
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