essence

n. in philosophy, the presumed ontological reality at the core of something that makes it what it is and not something else. There have been various philosophical attempts to define the difference between what something necessarily is and what it merely coincidentally is (see accidental property; essential property). In psychology, the concept of essence is relevant to discussions of personhood, including questions of human agency and of the self. It is thus important for personality theories. The view that human beings have certain important essential characteristics is known as essentialism. —essential adj.

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Psychology term of the day

December 18th 2024

quazepam

n. a benzodiazepine used as a hypnotic agent. It is of medium potency and is highly lipid soluble, enabling rapid penetration of the blood–brain barrier and resulting in rapid onset of effects. Because its metabolic products are eliminated slowly, quazepam may accumulate in the body, leading to unwanted daytime sedation. U.S. trade name: Doral.