I will argue that in the literal sense the programmed computer understands what the car and the adding machine understand, namely, exactly nothing.

An utterance can have Intentionality, just as a belief has Intentionality, but whereas the Intentionality of the belief is intrinsic the Intentionality of the utterance is derived.

Our tools are extensions of our purposes, and so we find it natural to make metaphorical attributions of intentionality to them; but I take it no philosophical ice is cut by such examples.

The Intentionality of the mind not only creates the possibility of meaning, but limits its forms.

We often attribute 'understanding' and other cognitive predicates by metaphor and analogy to cars, adding machines, and other artifacts, but nothing is proved by such attributions.

I want to block some common misunderstandings about "understanding": In many of these discussions one finds a lot of fancy footwork about the word "understanding."

You can't *discover* that the brain is a digital computer. You can only *interpret* the brain as a digital computer.

Many people mistakenly suppose that the essence of consciousness is that of a control mechanism

Where consciousness is concerned, the appearance is the reality.

"Akrasia" [weakness of will] in rational beings is as common as wine in France.

The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean that but also to mean something else.

Be a critical thinker too sometimes. Look in to your heart and give your self permission to ask your mind and question the teachings that doesn't resonate with the wisdom of your soul.

Giving evidence against one's employers was the first step to unemployment.

I made the record, and I sent it over to Jay Brown, who was working on Rihanna's album. He was like, "Send me that record for Rihanna."

Believe it or not, there are places in the world where music is important. There are places in the world where all the arts are a matter of national pride.

The Force is within you. Force yourself.

Only small minds want always to be right.

It's very ugly' I said generously. 'But it looks as though it would laugh at snow. And, if you hit a deer it would hiccup, and keep going.

Love is a well from which we can drink only as much as we have put in, and the stars that shine from it are only our eyes looking in.

By the time I get through writing a score, I know the book better than the book writer does, because I've examined every word, and questioned the book writer on every word.

I am the shadow on the moon at night/Filling your dreams to the brim with fright.