<p>What are propositional attitudes, and what distinguishes different propositional attitudes from each other? These questions are addressed here, focusing on beliefs and desires, in the light of the debate over ‘direction of fit’. To this end, a distinction is made between ‘vertical’ (mind-world) and ‘horizontal’ (mind-mind) accounts of propositional attitudes, and also between non-normative and normative accounts. Criticisms are first directed against vertical accounts, both non-normative and normative, such as some truth-based accounts. After that, horizontal non-normative accounts, such as dispositional or second-order accounts are criticized. Given the difficulties for non-normative horizontal accounts, normative horizontal accounts seem preferable. But they too have difficulties. Finally, it is argued that intrinsic accounts are superior both to vertical and horizontal normative accounts, whether non-normative or normative.</p>