Intention Meaning
Intention Definition & Usage
A mental state or attitude that represents a commitment to performing an action or achieving a goal in the future.
Examples
- "Her intention was to become a doctor, so she studied hard every day."
- "Despite his intention to quit smoking, he found it difficult to stop."
- "The teacher asked the students to clarify their intention behind the project."
- "I didn't know his intention was to surprise me with a birthday party!"
- "My primary intention is to help others through my work."
A purpose or reason behind an action, especially in the context of law or morality.
Examples
- "The prosecutor argued that the defendant’s intention was to harm the victim."
- "The court examined whether the intention behind the defendant's actions was malicious."
- "She had no intention of breaking the rules, but the mistake still happened."
- "Intention plays a key role in determining the severity of a crime."
- "The police were investigating the suspect's intention when the crime was committed."
The underlying purpose or reason behind an idea or belief.
Examples
- "His intention in writing the book was to explore the nature of human existence."
- "The philosopher's intention was to provoke thought, not to provide clear answers."
- "They disagreed on the intention behind the policy changes."
- "The artist’s intention was to challenge conventional ideas about beauty."
- "The intention of the speech was to inspire action among the audience."
Cultural Context
Intention is a key concept in both psychology and philosophy, often relating to the reasons or purposes behind human actions. In legal contexts, it is crucial in understanding liability and culpability, while in everyday language, it commonly refers to personal goals and resolutions. The word has been part of English since Middle English, originating from Latin 'intentio', meaning 'stretching out, purpose'.
The Unspoken Intention
Story
The Unspoken Intention
Mia had always dreamed of traveling the world, but as she sat in her tiny office cubicle, her mind wandered far away. Every day, she walked the same path to work, had the same lunch at her desk, and made the same plans for the weekend that never seemed to happen. But today, something was different. Today, she had the intention to make a change. Not just to talk about it, but to take action. She knew that the first step was to define her intention clearly. ‘I want to travel to Europe next summer,’ she wrote in her planner. ‘I will save X amount of money by March. I will research destinations and start applying for work visas.’ It was a start, but there was something deeper she needed to uncover. The next day, Mia had a conversation with her friend Sara, who was also feeling stuck in her routine. ‘You know,’ Sara said, ‘I never understood why you haven’t left this office job yet. Your intention to travel has been there for years, but you just keep putting it off.’ Mia hesitated. ‘I don’t think it’s just about traveling. It’s about figuring out who I really am beyond this job. I think my intention has always been to find a life that feels more authentic.’ Sara smiled, ‘Well, now you’re getting somewhere. Intentions are powerful, but they only work if we believe in them enough to act on them.’ By the time Mia got home, her mind was racing with possibilities. The intention to travel had sparked something much bigger. It wasn’t just about leaving her job; it was about finding her passion and purpose. She took out a piece of paper and started writing down the things she’d always wanted to do, without any restrictions or fear. Weeks later, as she sat at a café in Paris, sipping coffee and watching the rain fall, Mia smiled to herself. She had followed through with her intention, not just in terms of traveling, but in embracing the unknown and the possibilities it brought. The intention that started as a simple goal had led to a transformation she hadn’t anticipated. And in that moment, Mia realized that intention, when fueled by purpose and belief, could change the entire course of her life.
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