Perusolemassaolon

Perusolemassaolon is a Finnish philosophical term referring to the basic existential condition of an entity. The form is the genitive of perusolemassaolo, which combines perus- meaning basic or fundamental with olemassaolo meaning existence or being. In Finnish philosophical discourse, it denotes the minimal, foundational mode of being without which further predicates, properties, or relations cannot be coherently ascribed.

In practical terms, perusolemassaolon is used to discuss how an entity is assumed to exist in the most fundamental sense, prior to determinations of identity, status, or accidental characteristics. The concept is often discussed in relation to ontology, grounding, or the basis of rights in moral and legal philosophy, and it is typically contrasted with contingent or predicative aspects of existence.

Usage and scope vary across texts. The term appears mainly in academic Finnish writings on ontology, metaphysics, or philosophy of mind and is less common in everyday language. Because Finnish philosophical terminology can differ by author, researchers may describe analogous ideas with related expressions, while using perusolemassaolon to emphasize the foundational aspect of existence rather than specific attributes.

Relation to other concepts includes connections to ontological grounding, essentialism, and the distinction between necessary conditions and contingent properties. As a term, it highlights the baseline status of being that underpins further inquiry into what a thing is and how it can be discussed or justified within a theoretical framework.

See also: ontology, existence, grounding, essentialism.