Esseri

Esseri is the Italian plural noun for beings or existents. In everyday Italian, the plural form gli esseri can refer to living beings or creatures, while in philosophical or theological contexts it is used to discuss entities that have existence in a broader sense. The term is related to the noun form essero or l’essere, which in Italian can denote the concept of being itself, whereas esseri focuses on the individual or collective beings that exist.

Etymology and form: Essere, meaning “to be,” derives from Latin esse. As a noun, l’essere typically designates the existential concept of being, while gli esseri marks the plural entities that exist. The word is most common in educated or formal registers, particularly when addressing ontology or metaphysical questions.

Philosophical usage: In philosophy and theology, esseri are the relata of existence and study of what it means for something to be. The term allows discussion of diverse kinds of beings—human, animal, spiritual, or even abstract entities—within inquiries into existence, essence, and ontology. The plural emphasizes plurality among existents rather than a single category of being.

Other contexts: In literature, philosophy-informed discourse, or science fiction, esseri can describe any lifeforms or sentient beings encountered or imagined. The term helps distinguish between the general concept of existence and concrete individuals or groups of beings.

See also: being, existence, ontology, entity, essenza (essence).