Anti-intentionalism

Anti-intentionalism is a philosophical viewpoint primarily concerning the interpretation of art, literature, and legal documents. It asserts that the intended meaning, purpose, or authorial/creator's beliefs behind a work are irrelevant, or at least secondary, to its actual meaning. This perspective focuses instead on the work itself and the reader's or audience's experience. It argues that meaning is derived from the text's formal qualities, its structure, and how it is perceived by those engaging with it. It also emphasizes the objective qualities within the work, and what the work produces independent of the creator's intention. Anti-intentionalism often stands in contrast to intentionalism, which prioritizes the author's intentions as crucial for understanding a work.

Anti-intentionalism meaning with examples

• In literary criticism, an anti-intentionalist approach to Shakespeare might disregard what the Bard 'meant' to convey, analyzing *Hamlet* based on its themes of revenge, madness, and mortality as manifested in the language, character development, and plot structure. The reader’s personal interpretation is valued. The focus is on the text itself as a complete and self-contained entity and how it resonates with the audience.
• When interpreting a legal statute, an anti-intentionalist judge would prioritize the plain meaning of the words used in the law and its structure, rather than relying on legislative history, debates, or the supposed intentions of the lawmakers. The judge is trying to stay true to the text as it is written, and to remove any biases that the original author may have. The emphasis is on objective interpretation.
• In art criticism, Anti-intentionalism leads to the rejection of biographical information about the artist when interpreting a painting. Instead, the viewer would focus on the use of color, form, composition, and the overall aesthetic effect. The painting stands on its own, and what you see is what matters. The viewer decides the meaning from the text.
• A musicologist adhering to Anti-intentionalism might analyze a Beethoven symphony based on its harmonic structure, rhythmic patterns, and emotional impact on listeners, ignoring any anecdotes about Beethoven's personal life or the context of its composition. The musical composition is analyzed from a purely technical, and emotional perspective, from the audiences perspective and from what is produced. The text is the music itself.
• Consider a fictional poem. An anti-intentionalist critic would be interested in its use of metaphor, rhythm, and imagery, and any readerly interpretations it generates, but would be dismissive of inquiries such as, “What did the poet mean to say here?” The critic cares about the final product and does not care how it was developed.