Intentional object

An intentional object is the target or meaning that a thought, belief, or mental state is about or refers to. For example, when you think about your favorite book, the book itself is the intentional object of your thought. It’s not just a random thought; it’s directed at or consciousness of something outside or inside your mind. In philosophy, this helps explain how mental states connect to the world, showing that thoughts are about specific things, actions, or ideas, rather than just internal sensations or random neural activity.