ABSTRACT
This chapter presents intentionalist approach in the philosophy of artefacts. It identifies a standard view of artefacts and artefact use and design, which describes artefacts in terms of their functionality and builds a strong connection between artefact functions and designers intentions. Artefacts are the means as well as the products of intentional human action. The common core of these philosophical efforts can be called 'intentionalism': general conceptualisations of artefacts, artefact use and design should be built on the notion of intentional action. Use plans constructed by designers are expressed in the user manuals of artefacts and communicated to potential users by various other means. Moreover, most cases of artefact use are far less adventurous; and if they are, they resemble rock climbing more than wild-water canoeing: the circumstances in which the authors most often use artefacts are relatively stable and do not require exceptional skills.
