appeal to intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appeal to intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the motivations or purposes behind actions or statements. Example: "In her argument, she made an appeal to intention, emphasizing that the author's purpose was to inspire change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In order to solve this problem, George Wilson (1989) and Carl Ginet (1990, Ch. 6) appeal to intention de re.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Consider, for example, reasons that appeal to intentions, origin, or authority.

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A metaphysical reduction of collective action and intention might tolerate appeal to intentions whose content involves unreduced concepts of collective intentionality (Setiya 2010).

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Whether appeal to intentions in this way is enough to render one an originalist if only a faint-hearted one is perhaps questionable, however.

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A third approach to parenthood, popular with legal theorists, appeals to intentions as the ground of parenthood (Hill 1991; Parker 1982; Shultz 1990; Stumpf 1986).

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The Mohists justify their consequentialist ethics by appeal to the intention of Heaven (Tian), which they believe provides an objective criterion of morality.

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This utilitarian standard was justified by appeal to the intention of Heaven (Tian), a god-like entity that the Mohists argued is committed impartially to the benefit of all.

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McCann aims to explain the intentionality of deciding by appeal to an intention to decide exactly as one does.

Australasian Journal of Philosophy

Further reflection suggests that there may be an underlying appeal to the intentions of the teacher.

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Hence, rule-of-law arguments can be used to justify precluding (significant) appeal to authors' intentions (further or otherwise) in all but exceptional cases.

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This was proposed by Searle (1969), in the first full-blown analysis of illocutionary types made by appeal to communicative intentions.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appeal to intention", ensure the intention you are referencing is clearly defined and relevant to your argument. A vague or undefined intention weakens the appeal.

Common error

Avoid using "appeal to intention" as a substitute for concrete evidence or logical reasoning. Intention alone is rarely sufficient to justify a claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appeal to intention" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe the act of referencing or invoking someone's purpose or objective in an argument or explanation. Ludwig AI examples show its use in academic and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appeal to intention" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, employed to reference the underlying purpose or goal behind an action or argument. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in academic, scientific, and legal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the intention is clearly defined and relevant to strengthen your claim. Avoid over-relying on intention without sufficient evidence or logical reasoning. Consider semantically related alternatives such as "invoke the intention" or "refer to the intention" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invoke the intention

Replaces "appeal" with "invoke", emphasizing a more formal or deliberate calling upon the intention.

refer to the intention

Substitutes "appeal" with "refer", creating a more neutral and direct reference to the intention.

cite the intention

Replaces "appeal" with "cite", suggesting a more formal and documented reference to the intention.

make reference to the intention

Adds "make reference" to emphasize the act of referring to the intention.

draw upon the intention

Replaces "appeal" with "draw upon", implying that the intention is a resource or basis for something.

base an argument on intention

Focuses on using the intention as the foundation of an argument.

ground an analysis in intention

Highlights the use of intention as the basis for an analysis.

consider the intention

Shifts the focus to the act of considering or taking into account the intention.

take intention into account

Emphasizes the inclusion of intention in a broader consideration.

attribute importance to intention

Highlights the significance or importance assigned to the intention.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "appeal to intention" in an argument?

To effectively use "appeal to intention", clearly state the intention you are referencing, explain its relevance to your argument, and support your claim with additional evidence. For example, "The project's success hinged on an appeal to intention, emphasizing the initial goal of community enrichment".

What are some alternatives to "appeal to intention"?

You can use alternatives like "invoke the intention", "refer to the intention", or "consider the intention" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to "appeal to intention" in a formal context?

While generally acceptable, the appropriateness of using "appeal to intention" in formal contexts depends on the specific situation. In some cases, a more direct or evidence-based approach may be more suitable. If you are not sure, you may rephrase your idea by using "refer to the intention".

What's the difference between "appeal to intention" and "appeal to motive"?

"Appeal to intention" focuses specifically on the planned outcome or goal behind an action, while "appeal to motive" considers the underlying reason or driving force, which may be broader than just the intended outcome. Although they can be closely related, the intention can be just one component of the broader motive, in a specific context. In general it is safe to say that the main distinction is the scope.