Intention
From Geography
The core concept for Weber is intentionality. Intentionality is directed to the future. The intentional agent is central to the humanist perspective in geography. The focus of the intentional human agent conflicts with other approaches which argue that the individual is constrained by structures. (Aitken and Valentine 2008 , p.14)
There are two aspects to intentionality:
1. Freedom: openness to a specific extend (social aspect) , other peoples interventions are limiting your own freedom.
2. Choice
Intention influences the interpretation of space. If your intention is to follow a lecture the space of a classroom is enabling, however if your intention is to throw a party, then the space of a classroom is not suitable(Werlen lecture 28-09-2010).
In Weber's theory of man he distinguishes four types of human action, goal-rational, value-rational, affectional action, traditionalist action. Goal-rational implies that you need certain means to get to the goal (Drink--> to be not thirsty). It is the best way to achieve the goal according to your knowledge. (Werlen lecture 28-09-2010). Weber uses the concept of intention (meinen) in his very own special way in his sociology. Weber refers to intended meaning. He states that while it is common to use the term intention when it comes to rationally pursued goals, he will also use it for affectual action (Swedberg, Agevall 2005, p.128).
Intentionality also plays a role in the actor’s responsibility of an act. Adams and Steadman’s first argument is that people’s use of the word ‘intentionally’ may reflect not only their concept of intentional action but also certain purely pragmatic factors. In particular, people’s use of ‘intentionally’ may carry with it certain implicatures about whether or not the agent is to blame for her behavior (Knobe 2004, p.182). The link between responsibility and intentionality can also be seen in the basic principle of modern law: murder is worse than man slaughter. (Werlen, lecture 28-09-2010)
References:
Aitken, S. and Valentine, G. (2008). Approaches to human geography. Sage, London.
Knobe, J. (2004), Intention, intentional action and moral considerations. Analysis, 64: 181–187. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8284.2004.00481.x
Swedberg, R. & Agevall, O. (2005). The Max Weber dictionary- key words and central concepts. Stanford University Press, California.
Accessed through Google Books - http://books.google.nl/books?id=_c3Mcnh8hCgC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=Weber+intention&source=bl&ots=34Qt0iIRB5&sig=5ErrLOkLl70BrIGBmU6LUeJkVag&hl=nl&ei=c3qkTN-gGInFswaWjpGZCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBTgK#v=onepage&q&f=false )
Published by Sabrina Willems and Anouk Soomers
