Inessivere

Inessivere is a neologism used in speculative philosophy and literary theory to denote a state of being in which a subject is simultaneously situated within multiple, competing realities or identities.

Coined as a portmanteau suggesting "to be" and its negation in a single concept, the term's exact origin is informal and varies by author. It is not part of standard taxonomies in philosophy or psychology.

Definition and scope: Inessivere refers to the subjective experience of being present across several potential courses of action, selves, or world-states at once. It emphasizes interior conflict and distributed agency rather than asserting objective multiplicity.

Applications: In philosophy of mind and narrative theory, the concept is used to analyze how agents navigate choices when future selves occupy different roles. In fiction, it provides a device for exploring duty, desire, and identity under pressure.

Reception and status: The term remains specialized and informal, with limited uptake outside specific circles. Some scholars praise its utility for illustrating self-location, while others regard it as vague. See also personal identity, possible worlds, embodiment. References: contemporary essays and fiction that employ the term.