On the intentionality of consciousness

Aron Gurwitsch

pp. 139-156

in: Aron Gurwitsch, The collected works of Aron Gurwitsch (1901–1973) II, Berlin, Springer, 2010

Abstract

The intentionality of consciousness may be defined as a relation which all, or at least certain, acts bear to an object. In this manner, Brentano introduced the notion into contemporary philosophy. Seeking to account for the difference between what he calls "physical phenomena" and what he calls "psychical phenomena," Brentano found, among other characteristics, that the latter are distinguished by a relation to, or a direction towards, an object.² This directedness of psychical phenomena is interpreted by Brentano as their containing within themselves an "immanent" object-like entity.