Itseläisesti

Itseläisesti is a Finnish adverb meaning "in itself" or "intrinsically," used to refer to the inherent nature or properties of something, independent of external factors. In discourse it signals that a judgment or description focuses on internal aspects rather than external circumstances.

Etymology and form: itseläisesti is formed from the pronoun itse meaning "self" and the adverbial suffix -läisesti, producing an adverb that conveys manner or perspective. It is closely related to phrases that set a perspective, such as itseläisesti katsottuna or itseläisesti tarkasteltuna.

Usage and register: The term is most common in formal, academic, or analytic writing—philosophy, linguistics, criticism, and theoretical discussions—where it is useful to distinguish intrinsic properties from external influences. It is less frequent in everyday spoken Finnish, where speakers might opt for more common expressions like “itsenäisesti” or simply “per se” in borrowed form.

Common contrasts: Itseläisesti is often set against ulkoisesti ("externally"), external conditions, or situational factors. The contrast helps clarify whether a statement concerns inherent characteristics or contingent, outer factors.

Examples:

- Esimerkiksi lauseessa "Itseläisesti katsottuna järjestelmän vakaus riippuu sen sisäisistä mekanismeista" tarkoitetaan, että tarkastelu kohdistuu järjestelmän omiin ominaisuuksiin.

- Tutkimus tarkastelee ilmiötä itseläisesti, eli sen sisäisiä rakenteita eikä pelkästään ulkoisia vaikutuksia.

See also: ulkoisesti, per se, intrinsic properties (ominaispiirteet).