immanent

/'imənənt/

Thân thiện

The idea of divine presence is immanent in many spiritual traditions.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Inherent or existing within something: Describing a quality, principle, or force that is permanently present and operating within a system, entity, or the natural world.
   • Subjective or occurring within the mind: In philosophy, describing a mental act or process whose object and activity are contained entirely within the consciousness.

Usage and Examples

• As an inherent quality:
  • The desire for connection is immanent in human society.
  • The laws of physics are immanent in the fabric of the universe.
• In philosophical or theological contexts:
  • Some theologians view the divine as immanent in creation.
  • For that philosopher, perception was an immanent act of consciousness.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Philosophical Distinction: Often contrasted with "transcendent." An immanent cause or principle acts from within a system, while a transcendent one operates from outside it.
• Theological Context: Refers to the concept of a deity being present and active within the world, as opposed to being entirely separate from it (transcendent).

Variants and Related Words

• Immanence (noun): The state or quality of being immanent.
  • The philosopher wrote extensively about the immanence of spiritual energy in nature.
• Immanently (adverb): In an immanent manner.
  • The principle operates immanently, not from an external command.

Synonyms

• Inherent
• Intrinsic
• In-dwelling
• Indwelling
• Subjective (in the specific philosophical sense)

Antonyms

• Transcendent
• External
• Extrinsic

Notes on Meaning

• Do not confuse with imminent, which means "about to happen." Immanent relates to an inherent presence, not to time.
• The word is primarily used in academic, philosophical, and theological discussions rather than in everyday conversation.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of qualities that are spread throughout something
   • ambition is immanent in human nature
   • we think of God as immanent in nature
2. of a mental act performed entirely within the mind
   • a cognition is an immanent act of mind

Từ đồng nghĩa

• subjective