Abstract

This chapter discredits the widespread non‐representationalist interpretation of Cartesian sensations as _qualia_ (according to which sensations would present themselves as purely qualitative features of experience) and its implication that the puzzle of sensory misrepresentation is a red herring. The chapter establishes that the arguments and textual evidence offered in support of the non‐representationalist interpretation fail to prove that Cartesian sensations are _qualia_; and argues instead that there are textual and theoretical reasons for believing exactly the opposite, that is, that Descartes held that sensations are intrinsically intentional.