Two philosophical theories of intentional mental wandering
Authors
The puzzle of willful wandering states that intentional mind-wandering involves the contradiction of two opposing modes of thought: goal or task-directed, and non-goal or task-directed. However, empirical evidence supports the cases of intentional mind-wandering. How is it possible? In this paper I will address two philosophical theories of intentional mind-wandering: meta-control theory, and intentional omission theory. My main aim is to analyze how they could be articulated to overcome the puzzle. Furthermore, I will show that such articulation is a strong theory, since it proposes a promising explanation about two of more general problems on the topic in philosophy and cognitive sciences: agency in intentional mind-wandering, and definitional
haze of the concept mind-wandering.
Keywords:
Mental actions, Mind-wandering, Indirect agency, Omissions, Puzzel of Willful WanderingAndrews-Hanna, J., Kaiser, R., Turner, A., Reineberg, A., Godinez, D., Dimidjian, S., y Banich, M. (2013). A penny for your thoughts: Dimensions of self-generated thought content and relationships with individual differences in emotional wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00900
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Author Biography
Santiago Agudelo Berrío, Universidad de Antioquia
Estudiante de la licenciatura en filosofía de la UdeA. Psicólogo de la Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios. Integrante del Semillero Episteme, adscrito al grupo de investigación Conocimiento, Filosofía, Ciencia, Historia y Sociedad, del Instituto de Filosofía de la Universidad de Antioquia.
