Conscious Attention as Agency

"Attention is a kind of epistemic agency, or mental action, that allows us to know and learn about the world. Joint attention creates a field for collective action. A perceptual kind of orientationIn fact, attention provides the most important, basic, and at the same time selective kind of cognitive orientation on which we rely and depend to succeed at performing many tasks. Perceptual attention orients all kinds of organisms in their environments-insects, reptiles, and mammals-towards the satisfaction of their goals and needs."

"Clearly, and fortunately, not all cases of attention or inattention are as dramatically consequential. But it is equally clear that various types of attention, both the highly consequential and the more habitual or safe varieties, have a profound impact on our lives. In all cases, attention is a cognitive resource-it is selectively allocated to process certain contents or experiences because focused attention is limited."

"If someone grabs your attention at a party, and there happens to be a deep connection, then this brief moment of attentiveness will have a decisive impact on your sentimental life ( romantic love or long-term friendship). If you ignore this person because you are distracted looking for someone else, your life will be impoverished from this potential benefit."

Attention functions as an epistemic agency and mental action that enables knowing and learning about the world. Attention operates as a cognitive resource that is limited and selectively allocated according to interests, goals, and motivations. Momentary attention or inattention can have significant life consequences, from forming deep relationships to causing accidents while driving. Perceptual attention orients organisms, including insects, reptiles, and mammals, toward satisfying goals and needs. Joint attention establishes a shared field that facilitates collective action. Different types of attention range from highly consequential moments to habitual, low-consequence varieties, all profoundly influencing individual lives.

Read at Psychology Today