EXPLANATIONS OF SOME TERMS:

Intentionality =df that property of certain mental experiences according to which it appears that they are about something or directed toward something.

Examples:  When I have the sensation that I take to be seeing an orange reader, then the sensation seems to present, or be about, an object – the reader.  When I dream about a unicorn, then my dream represents itself as being about a unicorn (even though there may be no unicorns).

Necessity =df the property that a statement (or proposition has) when it cannot conceivably be false.  Statements that can be false are said to be contingent.

Examples:  “Everything is self-identical”, “5 + 7 = 12”, “No triangles are square”.

Criterion =df a test or standard for determining something, typically the correctness of something or the presence of something.

Example:  A test for whether or not something is an acid is to immerse in it a piece of litmus paper and see if the paper turns red.

Return to homepage