Scope note

Text

Entity capable of having representations about objects.

The present class is modelled as expressing at the same time the individual and the collective intentionality in order to avoid taking a stand in the ongoing debate about the nature of collective intentionality: is it simply the sum of individual intentions or does it express something more substantial in the sense of an intentional collective ? The model is open to both interpretations and one can choose to use or not the sdh:C25 Intentional Collective class for expressing collective intentionality, or provide specific types to the sdh:C26 Representations Class, e.g. 'social representations' for modelling views and conceptualizations shared by groups and societies.

In the perspective of psychology and social sciences, personal intentionality cannot exist —in real human lives— outside a socialisation that shapes the language and categories of thought of individuals. Individuality is realised in the context of this substrate, i.e. the sharing and adopting, or contributing to the development of social representations. Beyond its irreducible individuality, a person embodies, and specialises, an intentional collective which he or she helps to achieve and contributes to evolve. This constant interaction between persons and intentional collectives appears to be one of the foundations of social life.

Language

en