Intentionalism

Intentionalism is a theory in philosophy and literary criticism that emphasizes the importance of an author's intentions when interpreting a work. It asserts that understanding the meaning of a text, artwork, or action requires considering what the creator wanted to convey. This approach suggests that an author's background, context, and purpose play a crucial role in shaping the meaning. In contrast to other theories that prioritize reader interpretation or the text's inherent meaning, intentionalism argues that to fully appreciate a work, one must acknowledge the creator’s objectives and mindset.