a collective intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collective intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a shared goal or purpose among a group of people. Example: "The team worked together to achieve a collective intention of improving community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A key notion in Searle's account of social institutions is that of a collective intention, such as the intention expressed by "Let's push the log at the count of three".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Collective intentions, or "we-intentions," entail the existence of individual intentions, or "I-intentions," because a person cannot intend that he and others do something without also intending that he do his part (and because there is no distinct entity, over and above the individual, that could be said to be the bearer of a collective intention).

Encyclopedia Britannica

One person's we-intention does not make for a collective intention.

SEP

That would in effect presuppose the notion for which we're seeking an account (405).[13] Searle, in contrast to Tuomela and Miller, insists that the individual's participatory intention (what he calls a collective intention) is primitive.

SEP

And it seems obvious that the difference between a distribution of individual intentions and a collective intention lies not merely in a structure of mutual belief or common knowledge.

SEP

As Nettelhorst, we've also made a collective intention: that each of us becomes kinder, gentler and more tolerant.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

How do the we-intentions of individual participants have to be related to each other in order to constitute a genuine collective intention?

SEP

A possible solution would be to claim that joint commitments of the sort that Gilbert envisages are a special kind of collective intention, and that they presuppose more basic forms of collective intentionality, which are not joint commitments of the Gilbertian sort (Schmid 2005).

SEP

The AT is a place of altruism, non-judgment and kindness and there is collective intention to enable healing and self-discovery".

The Guardian - Travel

When A and B go to the Taj Mahal together, Searle's account has it that each of them has the thought "We are going to the Taj Mahal" in his head; and this is what makes theirs a joint action, since each derives his contributory or participatory intention from his collective intention, assuming that the respective other will perform his contribution (cf. Searle 2010: 52 53).

SEP

If people wonder whether other people are gay, "that is the collective intention, and we abide with it".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a collective intention" when emphasizing a shared goal or purpose among a group. It highlights the unified direction of effort.

Common error

Avoid using "a collective intention" when the outcome is primarily the result of individual actions. Instead, highlight the combined effort or synergy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collective intention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, referring to a shared goal or purpose among a group of people.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a collective intention" describes a shared aim or purpose within a group, making it a useful term to convey unified goals. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness and applicability of this phrase. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of reliable sources, including news outlets, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When writing, ensure it accurately reflects a shared goal rather than individual efforts. Consider alternatives such as "a shared purpose" or "a common goal" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared purpose

Emphasizes the common goal that unites a group.

a common goal

Highlights the objective that a group is striving to achieve.

a united aim

Suggests a focused and coordinated effort toward a specific target.

a joint objective

Indicates a formal or structured agreement on a desired outcome.

a mutual understanding

Focuses on the agreement and comprehension among individuals.

a group consensus

Emphasizes the agreement reached through discussion and compromise within a group.

a team objective

Highlights a specific goal that a team is focused on achieving.

a communal desire

Suggests a broad, shared yearning or aspiration within a community.

a concerted effort

Focuses on the organized and coordinated actions taken by a group.

a collaborative endeavor

Highlights the cooperative nature of the activity undertaken by a group.

FAQs

How can I use "a collective intention" in a sentence?

You can use "a collective intention" to describe a shared goal or purpose of a group of people. For example: "The success of the project depended on the team's "a collective intention" to deliver quality work."

What are some alternatives to "a collective intention"?

You can use alternatives such as "a shared purpose", "a common goal", or "a united aim" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the collective intention" instead of "a collective intention"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "A collective intention" refers to a specific instance of shared intent, while "the collective intention" implies a more general or overarching shared purpose.

What is the difference between "a collective intention" and "collective intentionality"?

"A collective intention" refers to a specific shared goal, whereas "collective intentionality" is a broader philosophical concept concerning how shared intentions and beliefs shape social behavior and institutions. Consider which aspect you want to emphasize.