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Everything about Essence

That which makes or defines an entity

Essence has various meanings and uses for different thinkers and in different contexts. It is used in philosophy and theology as a designation for the property or set of properties or attributes that make an entity the entity it is or, expressed negatively, without which it would lose its identity. Essence is contrasted with accident, which is a property or attribute the entity has accidentally or contingently, but upon which its identity does not depend. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: EssenceA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: Physiological Essence of Magnesium in Plants and Its Widespread Deficiency in the Farming System of ChinaInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: OrthodoxyThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: The essence of senescence: Figure 1.Cited 1,951 times
  5. Go sideways: OusiaA closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: ChandrakirtiA closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun The inherent nature of a thing or idea.

Noun The true nature of anything, not accidental or illusory.

Noun Constituent substance.

Noun A being; especially, a purely spiritual being.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Etymology
  2. Philosophy
  3. Religion

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics