[Salvation]

INTENTION

An act of the will tending effectively to some good, proposed by the mind as desirable and attainable. It differs from simply willing, which is the desire for an end without concern about the means. Intention means desiring not only some good but also the means of obtaining this good. An intention may be actual, virtual, habitual, or interpretative.

See Also: ACTUAL INTENTION, See Also: HABITUAL INTENTION, See Also: INTERPRETATIVE INTENTION, See Also: VIRTUAL INTENTION

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission

[Salvation]

INTERPRETATIVE INTENTION

An intention that has not been made but presumably would have been made if the person had been aware of the circumstances. Thus, if the literal interpretation of a law would cause more harm than good, one might interpret the mind of the lawgiver and relax the law in this particular case.

See Also: ACTUAL INTENTION, See Also: HABITUAL INTENTION, See Also: VIRTUAL INTENTION, See Also: INTENTION

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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