International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VIII, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2321–2705

The Doctrine of Intentionality in Merlau-Ponty

 Agama Christina Sunday (PhD)
Directorate of General Studies
Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Abstract:- The focus of this paper is to examine the doctrine of intentionality in Merleau-Ponty. It will look at how he departs from the traditional description of intentionality. It will also draw the differences between his and Husserls understanding of Intentionality, and how his doctrine of intentionality becomes integral to subjectivity. This discourse submits that Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological approach to intentionality amounts to radicality especially from his account of the intentional constitution of the body and its role in perceptual experience.
Keywords: Internationality, Consciousness, embodiment, perception, phenomenology

Introduction

In philosophy, the concept of intentionality is very central more especially in phenomenology. Accordingly, Husserl says that intentionality is the fundamental property of consciousness and the principle theme of phenomenology. Yet, the concept of intentionality appears so technical in philosophy, while in the other way round, it is a familiar term even to those outside philosophy. Its central character is to our mental states and experiences, more especially when we claim to be conscious or aware of something else. Consciousness is to humanity. Man is not completely affected by all that surrounds him simply because of his consciousness. He is always conscious of things around him, including himself. The mental life of man like hopes, thoughts, beliefs, perceptions etc, gives him a sense of something in his world. This mental state or experiences of the mind or consciousness is “internationality” and/or the ability of consciousness to be about things is known as “intentionality”

However, the term intentionality is from a Latin verb intendo meaning to aim, hold out, or stretch. To this effect, intentionality refers to the way the state of the mind (consciousness) can aim at or be directed towards both intentional (as in images, memories, feelings etc) and external (like physical things, relations, events etc) objects. The mental states of man are always of or about something. In other words, consciousness is consciousness of something. It is never empty.