A question-sensitive theory of intention

Journal article

Beddor, Bob and Goldstein, Simon. (2023). A question-sensitive theory of intention. The Philosophical Quarterly. 73(2), pp. 346-378. https://doi.org/10.1093/pq/pqac031
AuthorsBeddor, Bob and Goldstein, Simon
Abstract

This paper develops a question-sensitive theory of intention. We show that this theory explains some puzzling closure properties of intention. In particular, it can be used to explain why one is rationally required to intend the means to one’s ends, even though one is not rationally required to intend all the foreseen consequences of one’s intended actions. It also explains why rational intention is not always closed under logical implication, and why one can only intend outcomes that one believes to be under one’s control.

Keywordsintention; propositional attitudes; closure; question-sensitivity; doctrine of double effect
Year2023
JournalThe Philosophical Quarterly
Journal citation73 (2), pp. 346-378
PublisherOxford University Press
ISSN0031-8094
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1093/pq/pqac031
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85153476345
Web address (URL)https://academic.oup.com/pq/article/73/2/346/6648921
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range346-378
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online22 Jul 2022
Publication process dates
AcceptedJul 2022
Deposited03 Jun 2024
Additional information

© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Scots Philosophical Association and the University of St Andrews. All rights reserved.

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