Whatness

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. The essence or nature of something that defines its existence and properties
  2. The fundamental quality or character of a thing that distinguishes it from others
  3. The inherent attributes and defining features that constitute something's identity

Etymology: The noun in question emerged from the philosophical tradition, where it serves as a way to discuss the essential nature or "essence" of something—what makes a thing distinctly itself. This abstract concept finds its roots in the medieval scholastic philosophy of the 12th to 14th centuries, particularly within the discussions of Aristotle’s metaphysics as interpreted by thinkers like Thomas Aquinas. They used the Latin term "quidditas," meaning "whatness" or "the what it is," to signify the essence of a thing, distinguishing it from "haecceity," or "thisness," which refers to individuality. In English, the formation of this noun follows a straightforward pattern: the pronoun "what" combined with the suffix "-ness," a common English suffix that turns adjectives or pronouns into abstract nouns indicating a state or quality. This productive construction allows speakers and writers to inquire about or refer to the fundamental qualities that define an object or concept, rather than its particular instances or manifestations. While "whatness" is not a frequent word in everyday language, it gained currency in philosophical and literary contexts from the early modern period onward, allowing for nuanced discussions about identity and essence. Its usage aligns with a broader English tendency to create abstract nouns by adding "-ness" to interrogative pronouns or adjectives, such as "whiteness" or "darkness," but "whatness" specifically captures the elusive quality of "being what something is" rather than a sensory or emotional attribute. The term's appeal lies in its ability to encapsulate the abstract inquiry into "what makes something what it is," a question that has animated centuries of philosophical debate. This conceptual utility ensures its continued, if specialized, presence in discussions of metaphysics, ontology, and sometimes literary criticism.