# Prior intentions vs. intentions in action -Dispelling the myth **Opening (not a real abstract):** Suppose you are sitting in an assembly in which a vote is about to be cast by a show of hands. You resolve to vote in favour of the proposed motion by raising your hand, and, accordingly, you form an intention to raise your hand when the appropriate time comes. As soon as the time to vote is announced, you proceed to raise your hand, in line with your (previously formed) intention. Is there anything wrong with this picture? A number of theorists, chiefly John Searle (1983, but see also Brand 1984, Mele 1992, Bratman 1987, Pacherie 2000, 2006, 2008) would likely say that this picture is wrong to the extent that it is incomplete, for it does not take into account the following idea: you do not know the nitty-gritty of how you are going to act until you actually start acting. This should be reflected in the sort of intentions you may entertain after as