# Imagination Is Where the Action Is **Opening (not a real abstract):** wo forms of pretending, if properly understood, put a strain on prevalent views about human imagination in philosophy and cognitive science. If we recast our image of imagination, we can accommodate them. The two phenomena I wish to introduce are semi-pretense and pretense layering. (For clarity, I always use “pretend” and cognates to refer to bodily behavior; “imagine” and cognates refer to mental activity and structures.) Semi-pretense : Jennifer and Leroy are at a pool on a summer day, watching other children jump off the high-dive. One clumsy child almost trips off the end of the board and falls into the water at an awkward angle with arms waving. “Two,” says Leroy, holding up two fingers with a frown. “I give him a one,” says Jennifer, holding up a finger. Next a young woman springs off the board, glides in a swan