What is intentional eliminativism?

Intentional eliminativism is a philosophical stance that posits that intentions and similar mental states do not actually exist nor provide a valid basis for understanding human behavior. This view is grounded in a broader rejection of folk psychology, which is the everyday understanding of mental states that typically includes beliefs, desires, and intentions. Proponents of intentional eliminativism argue that the concepts used in folk psychology are not scientifically valid and should be eliminated in favor of a more empirically grounded understanding of human actions.

The reasoning behind this position often stems from a critique of traditional psychological explanations, suggesting that concepts like intention are based on outdated frameworks that are not supported by findings from neuroscience or advanced cognitive science. Therefore, by rejecting the notion of intentions as real phenomena, intentional eliminativism aims for a clearer, more accurate account of behavior that does not rely on unobservable mental states.