noumenon

C2+ Topic:Mind & Cognition
US /ˈnuməˌnɑn/ UK /ˈnuːmɪnən/
noun

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    a thing as it is in itself, independent of perception (Kantian)

    For Kant the noumenon lies forever beyond our experience.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a thing as it is in itself,... thing-in-itselfding-an-sichessence
Opposites
Word family
Derived forms noumenal
Related forms nousphenomenon

Etymology

From Ancient Greek nooumenon ('that which is thought'), neuter present passive participle of noein ('to think, perceive'), from nous ('mind'). Adopted into philosophy notably by Kant.

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