aseity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareTechnical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “aseity” mean?
The property of being self-derived or having existence originating from and in oneself, independent of any external cause.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The property of being self-derived or having existence originating from and in oneself, independent of any external cause.
In philosophy and theology, it refers to the ultimate, self-sufficient nature of God or a supreme being, whose existence is not contingent upon anything else. In more abstract usage, it can describe any entity or concept posited as fundamentally self-caused or self-explanatory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences exist; the term is equally specialized and rare in both varieties. Spelling and pronunciation are identical.
Connotations
Purely academic, philosophical, and theological. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, confined to advanced scholarly texts and discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “aseity” in a Sentence
the aseity of [ENTITY, e.g., God, the Absolute][ENTITY] possesses/has aseityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aseity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verb form exists.
American English
- No standard verb form exists.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form exists.
American English
- No standard adverb form exists.
adjective
British English
- The aseitic nature of the divine is a core tenet of classical theism.
- They debated the possibility of an aseitic universe.
American English
- The aseitic property distinguishes God from all contingent beings.
- His argument hinged on the concept of an aseitic first cause.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in advanced theology, metaphysics, and philosophy of religion to discuss the nature of a necessary being.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a precise technical term in its field of origin.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aseity”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aseity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aseity”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈeɪsɪti/ (AY-si-tee).
- Confusing it with 'acety' (as in acetyl) or 'asset'.
- Using it in non-philosophical contexts where 'independence' or 'self-sufficiency' would be appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not in its standard technical sense. It is reserved for that which is considered ontologically fundamental and uncaused, like God in classical theism. Applying it to humans would be a category error.
No, it is a very rare, specialized term. Even well-educated speakers outside philosophy or theology may not know it.
Contingency. A contingent being depends on something else for its existence, unlike a being with aseity.
The concept is deeply rooted in scholastic philosophy, particularly in the work of thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, who systematized the idea of God as 'ipsum esse subsistens' (subsistent being itself), which implies aseity.
The property of being self-derived or having existence originating from and in oneself, independent of any external cause.
Aseity is usually technical/formal in register.
Aseity: in British English it is pronounced /eɪˈsiːɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /eɪˈsiɪti/ or /əˈsiɪti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A-SEITY' as 'A-SELF-ity' – the state of being from one's own self.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ULTIMATE SOURCE (God/the Absolute is conceptualized as the uncaused, original fountain of being).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'aseity' primarily used?