lintenzione

Lintenzione, written as l’intenzione in Italian, is a noun that denotes the mental aim or plan with which a person acts. It refers to the directed purpose behind an action, not merely a wish or desire. In everyday language one speaks of having the intention to do something, for example “avere l’intenzione di partire domani.” In philosophy and ethics, intention is a central concept for explaining why actions occur and how they should be judged morally, often in relation to the agent’s goals and reasoning.

Etymology and usage: the term comes from Latin intentio, from intendere “to stretch toward, to aim at.” The apostrophe in l’intenzione marks elision of the definite article before a vowel. Over the centuries the word has accumulated nuances related to will, plan, or purpose, and it sits between the notions of volition and motive in Italian usage.

Legal and moral contexts: in law, l’intenzione is linked to mens rea, the mental state required to establish criminal liability. An act done with a specific intention to achieve a forbidden result is distinguished from reckless or negligent conduct. In civil contexts, intention can influence obligations and remedies, such as promises or planned actions with legal effects. In moral philosophy, intention often shapes assessment of responsibility, sometimes independently from outcomes, though some theories emphasize consequences over intent.

Translation and related terms: l’intenzione is usually translated as “intention” or “purpose.” Related concepts include volontà (will), motivo (motive), and finalità (aim or objective). See also intention in philosophy; mens rea; motive.