Intencions

Intencions, in Catalan, refer to mental states that express a commitment to perform a future action. They denote aims, purposes, or planned outcomes that guide behavior. Unlike mere desires, intencions are typically directed toward concrete actions and are associated with preparation or decision to act.

Etymology: from Latin intentio; the term appears in everyday speech and in technical discussions across philosophy, psychology, law, linguistics, and artificial intelligence.

In philosophy and action theory, intencions are distinguished as mental states that select an action plan and provide the reason to act. They are set apart from mere desires or beliefs, and from decisions that do not imply a commitment to specific future behavior.

In law, intentionality concerns the mental state underlying actions. Direct or oblique intent can affect culpability; some systems distinguish between intent to commit a crime and intent to achieve a particular result, with implications for criminal and civil liability.

In psychology and cognitive science, intentions are formed through goal formation and planning. The intention-behavior gap refers to the observation that not all formulated intentions result in action, due to situational constraints, motivation, or self-control.

In linguistics and artificial intelligence, inferring speaker intention is central to pragmatics and user interaction. In technology, intent recognition supports natural language understanding and conversation design.

See also: motivation, goals, plans, desires, beliefs, mens rea.