What is the definition of "intentionally" in the context of culpable mental states?

The definition of "intentionally" in the context of culpable mental states is best captured by the idea that your "conscious objective" is to do something. This means that when a person acts intentionally, they have a specific goal or purpose behind their actions. The focus is on the awareness and desire to achieve a particular outcome, indicating a deliberate choice rather than acting by accident or negligence.

Intentional conduct requires that the individual not only intends to perform the act but also aims to accomplish a specific result through that act. This standard is central in legal contexts where the intention behind actions can determine degrees of culpability.

The other descriptions offered do not fully encompass the meaning of intentionality in the same manner. Being "aware" of your actions suggests a level of consciousness but does not explicitly connect to the objective aspect of intentional desire. Acting "with disregard" for consequences implies a form of recklessness rather than intentionality, which is characterized by the actual desire to produce a result. Lastly, having "no awareness" of your actions would indicate a lack of intention altogether, aligning more closely with negligence or ignorance rather than intentional conduct. Such subtle distinctions are crucial in legal definitions of culpability.