"Mind-wandering is unguided attention: accounting for the ‘‘purposeful’’ wanderer" by Zachary C. Irving (2015)

Summary

This philosophy paper proposes a novel theory of mind-wandering, arguing that it is unguided attention. The author addresses the "Puzzle of the Purposeful Wanderer," reconciling the seemingly purposeless nature of mind-wandering with empirical evidence showing its frequent connection to goals. This is achieved by distinguishing between the guidance and motivation of thoughts: mind-wandering lacks guidance but can be motivated by goals. The theory further distinguishes mind-wandering from guided attention forms like absorption and rumination, improving upon existing definitions in cognitive science and philosophy. Ultimately, the paper aims to establish a clearer philosophical understanding of this ubiquitous mental state.