CH. 13 Mental Content

Question 1

intentionality

Answer 1

the feature of mental phenomena (states, processes, events) in virtue of which they are about or directed at some object, event, or state of affairs.

Question 2

personal vs. subpersonal

Answer 2

distinction between different levels of explanation
of cognitive phenomena. Explanations of behavior in terms of mental states
and processes that are ascribed to whole persons are considered to be on a
personal level, while those explanations of behavior and cognitive functions that are localized to parts of the cognitive system and can be subdivided into simpler elements that operate unconsciously are usually treated as subpersonal.

Question 3

content

Answer 3

the meaning of a representation—what the representation is about, usually expressed in terms of conditions which need to be met in order for the
representation to represent its target truthfully or accurately.

Question 4

representational theory of mind

Answer 4

the view according to which cognition
consists in processes of formation, manipulation, and transformation of contentful
representational vehicles.

Question 5

individuation

Answer 5

the way in which a mental representation, cognitive function, or
computational process is identified and distinguished from other things.

Question 6

representational vehicle

Answer 6

the physical entity that serves as the physical medium into which the content of a representation is encoded.

Question 7

wide vs. narrow content

Answer 7

content can be construed as being either narrow—
depending only on features of the cognitive system—or wide—depending on
environmental features as well.