Abstract

Intentionality -- in the sense of purposiveness-- is essential for the action-perception cycle, which is central in Walter Freeman's work. In this paper, I will reflect upon Walter Freeman's view on intentionality and its relation to mesoscopic neurodynamics, also quoting him from a couple of unique dialogues. Further, I will elaborate on the role of intentionality for decision making and free will, in particular focusing on intentionality as a driving force in evolution and in life in general. I will also describe briefly a computational model of decision making and put that model in the broader context of the action-perception cycle. Finally, in some philosophical comments on consciousness, I will discuss its dual aspects of intention and attention, which appears to be causally effective in the material world.