Nonimmanent

Nonimmanent is a philosophical term used to describe something that is not inherent or contained within something else. It signifies a quality or existence that is external to the subject or system in question. The concept is often contrasted with immanence, which denotes something that is contained within, or part of, the fundamental nature of a thing.

In theological contexts, nonimmanence can refer to a deity that is transcendent, existing apart from and beyond the material universe, rather than being wholly present within it. This contrasts with immanent conceptions of God, who is understood to be present in all of creation.

In metaphysics, a nonimmanent property would be one that is not an essential part of an object's being but is rather something applied to it or observed from an external perspective. For instance, if a color were considered nonimmanent to an object, it would imply that the color is not an intrinsic characteristic of the object itself but rather a perception or attribute assigned to it.

The distinction between immanent and nonimmanent is crucial for understanding various philosophical and theological systems, particularly those dealing with the nature of reality, consciousness, and the divine. It helps to delineate the boundaries between internal qualities and external influences or existences.