mínn

Mínn is a term used in speculative philosophy and cognitive science to denote a subjective memory-imprint of a currently held or anticipated action that continues to exert motivational influence over time.

According to proponents, mínn is distinct from episodic memory (memory for past events) and from the conscious intention present during action, in that mínn represents a self-owned, persistent representation that can outlive new information.

Origin and usage: The term is described as an analytic construct rather than a widely observed neurological state; it takes its name from Nordic linguistic roots, drawing on "minn" meaning memory and the English suffix -n to suggest possession.

In theories, mínn interacts with prospective memory and ongoing deliberation, shaping how people recall what they intended and whether they act on it.

Criticism: Some researchers argue that mínn is reducible to existing constructs such as intention, working memory, or episodic memory; others argue it captures a phenomenological aspect not captured by standard models.

In culture, mínn has appeared in speculative fiction as a mechanism enabling inner continuity of self, sometimes linked to memory, autonomy, and personal identity.

See also: mnemonic, autobiographical memory, intention, prospective memory.