Common Intention vs. Common Object — What's the Difference?

"Common Object" signifies the joint focus of people on a particular goal or item. This term illustrates a scenario where the focus of individuals converges on a single objective without necessarily being stemmed from a collective decision or planned strategy. Whereas in scenarios featuring a “Common Intention”, the collaborative planning and decision-making process plays a crucial role.

In analyzing "Common Intention", it is perceptible that it connotes a unified purpose or agreement among individuals. People with a common intention deliberately plan and agree upon a particular course of action. They hold a concerted desire or motive, which often directs their actions toward a specific outcome. In contrast, “Common Object” does not necessarily embody a planned or agreed-upon motive among individuals.

With "Common Intention", there is a clarity and determination among all participants to attain a specific goal. This means every member equally understands and agrees upon the intended outcome and the path to achieve it. Contrarily, when discussing “Common Object”, it isn’t required for all individuals to have an identical understanding or agreement on the method of achieving the object.

“Common Object”, conversely, entails a shared goal or target but lacks the deliberation that characterizes common intention. This term implies that individuals collectively focus or act towards a particular item or goal, without suggesting a unified, pre-conceived plan or agreement among them. Meanwhile, individuals with a common intention would not only share a goal but actively coordinate and strategize to achieve it.