El conocimiento practico como Trasfondo de la intencionalidad

In this paper it is examined Searle's thesis that the conditions of satisfaction of mental states are fixed against a background of nonrepresentational mental capabilities. First, I argue that the Searlean requirement regarding the nonrepresentational nature of the Background is unnecessary and mysterious. Secondly, I present an analysis of knowing-how (an essential ingredient in Background) and suggest the idea that practical capacities could be accommodated with the representational theory of mind if they are viewed as structures of states endowed with nonconceptual contents. This would permit a better understanding of how the Background performs the function that Searle confers to it.